Vatican City – Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager known as the “patron saint of the internet,” was canonized by Pope Francis today, September 7, 2025, at a ceremony in St. PeterS Square. The recognition follows the Vatican’s confirmation of two miracles attributed to his intercession, marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church and a powerful symbol for young peopel in the digital age.
Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006, used his considerable computer skills to create a website cataloging miracles attributed to the Catholic saints. His devotion to the Eucharist, his selfless service to the poor and marginalized, and his profound faith resonated deeply even during his illness. The canonization underscores the Church’s evolving understanding of holiness in the 21st century, recognizing sanctity not only in traditional acts of piety but also in the innovative use of technology for evangelization and charitable work. The event draws attention to the growing importance of digital ministry and the potential for faith to flourish online.
Born May 3, 1991, in London to Italian parents, Carlo Acutis moved to Milan with his family in 1992. From a young age,he displayed a deep faith and a strong desire to help others. He was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia in 2006 and offered his suffering for the Pope and the Church. Before his death on October 12, 2006, he reportedly told his mother he wanted to be buried in Assisi, known as the city of St.Francis, to be closer to his spiritual inspiration.
The first miracle attributed to Acutis involved the healing of a young Brazilian boy in 2013 from a life-threatening pancreatic condition. The second,confirmed in 2020,concerned the miraculous healing of a woman in Florence,Italy,from a serious and previously incurable condition.Both healings were deemed medically inexplicable by Vatican investigators.
Acutis’s life story has inspired countless young people worldwide,and his feast day is celebrated on october 12th. His remains are currently enshrined in the Shrine of the Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, attracting pilgrims from across the globe.© RESERVED REPRODUCTION
