Meet Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint Inspiring Generations

Quick Smiles:

• Carlo Acutis is set to become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint.
• His canonization was postponed due to the passing of Pope Francis.
• Acutis is remembered for his dedication to faith and service to others.

A remarkable teenager who lived a life full of faith and kindness is on the path to sainthood. Carlo Acutis, who passed away from leukemia in 2006, is set to become the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV announced that Acutis would be canonized on September 7, following a delay caused by the death of Pope Francis.

Despite his short life, Acutis left a lasting impact through his actions and beliefs. He balanced typical teenage activities with teaching catechism and assisting the homeless.

His passion for his faith was evident in the website he created, which educates visitors about over 100 Eucharistic Miracles recognized by the church.

In Assisi, where Acutis is entombed, pilgrims can visit his glass coffin and see him dressed in casual attire—a sweatshirt and jeans—reflecting his ordinary yet extraordinary life.

Video footage of his life has been shared, and late Pope Francis described Acutis as “a model for young people of the 21st century.”

Pope Leo also mentioned that Acutis would be canonized alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati.

“The canonizations of the two young saints—one from the early twentieth century, the other the first twenty-first-century saint—have been greatly anticipated due to the great devotion among the faithful,” reported a Vatican source.

Acutis’s mother fondly recalled her son, saying, “Definitely, Carlo was an ordinary child like everybody. He used to play, to have friends, to go to school. But his extraordinary was the fact that he opened the door of his heart to Jesus, and he put Jesus at the first place in his life.”

His commitment to his faith extended to his school life. It was noted that Acutis was fearless when it came to defending church teachings, with many of his high school classmates remembering him giving a passionate defense for the protection of life from the moment of conception during classroom discussions about abortion.

Carlo Acutis’s journey to sainthood is a testament to a life lived with purpose and devotion, inspiring many along the way.

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