Despite his young age, Carlo Acutis attracted attention for his use of technology to spread the Catholic faith. In particular, his documentation of Eucharistic miracles and the collection of this information on a website before his death from leukemia in 2006 made him a well-known figure in religious circles.
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, has initiated the canonization process of Carlo Acutis, who died young and drew attention for spreading the Catholic faith using technology. Pope Francis made the decision during a meeting with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, head of the Vatican’s canonization department, a statement said Thursday.
Who is Carlo Acutis?
Carlo Acutis was born in England in 1991 to Italian parents. From an early age, Acutis had a great interest in religion, and after moving to Milan, Italy with his family, he began attending church regularly and helping those in need. In particular, he documented the miracles of the Eucharist and collected this information on a website, an initiative that made him a well-known figure in religious circles.
On October 10, 2020, Carlo Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis at a ceremony in Assisi, Italy. The first miracle was the miraculous healing of a Brazilian boy after he prayed to Carlo. This miracle was confirmed by the Vatican and allowed Carlo Acutis to be beatified.
The Second Miracle and the Process of Canonization
For Acutis to be officially canonized, a second miracle had to take place. By recognizing this second miracle, Pope Francis’ decision today completes the final step in the process of canonizing Acutis. This second miracle was the recovery of a Costa Rican university student who suffered a severe head injury in a bicycle accident in Italy in 2022. The student’s mother said that she prayed for her daughter’s recovery at Acutis’ tomb in Assisi and that she was miraculously healed.
Carlo Acutis is seen as a role model, especially for the younger generations, for spreading his faith using modern technology. Referred to as an “internet saint” and “God’s influencer”, Acutis has made a huge impact in religious circles and among young people around the world. The canonization of Carlo Acutis is noteworthy in that it shows that people who make a great religious impact at a young age can also progress towards sainthood.
Acutis’ canonization is widely supported on the grounds that it will set an example for young people. Carlo Acutis was also named patron of World Youth Day, held last year in Lisbon, Portugal, for his “important role in evangelizing (God) through the internet”.
Family and Community Reaction
Antonia Salzano, the mother of Carlo Acutis, said they were “very moved” by yesterday’s decision and added: “Usually when people are canonized, their parents are already dead. We share this joy with all those around the world who pray for Carlo every day, who tell of his miracles.” Carlo Acutis’ body in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi can be seen through a glass case and is visited by thousands of people every year for prayer.
With the completion of Acutis’ canonization process, he will become the first millennial saint to use modern technology to spread his faith and make a major impact at a young age. This is an indication of how religious beliefs can be adapted to the modern world and how young people can play an active role in this process.
