Carlo Acutis’ legacy continues to inspire young believers
Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian teen who built websites to spread Catholic teachings, is set to become the Catholic Church’s first saint from the millennial generation.
The 15-year-old died of leukemia in 2006, but his story has since resonated deeply with young Catholics worldwide.
Despite his emerging saintly status, his mother, Antonia Salzano Acutis, emphasized that Carlo was, in many ways, a typical teenager.
“There is no doubt he was special,” she told Reuters, “but he was also an ordinary child.” He played, had friends, went to school—but what set him apart, she said, was his unwavering devotion to Jesus.
A tech prodigy with deep faith
Carlo Acutis taught himself multiple programming languages and used his digital skills to build websites for his local parish and the wider Church. His commitment to his faith, combined with his technology talent, made him a unique figure among modern Catholics.
After his death, his body was moved to Assisi, in central Italy, fulfilling his final wish. There, his remains rest in a clear-sided tomb, dressed in a track top, jeans, and sneakers, with a wax replica placed over his body. Thousands visit the site regularly.
On April 27, tens of thousands more are expected to gather in St. Peter’s Square for the official canonization. Vatican officials hope Pope Francis, still recovering from a serious illness, will lead the ceremony.
An everyday teen with extraordinary devotion
“Carlo was an ordinary child like others,” said his mother. “But his extraordinary quality was the fact that he opened the door of his heart to Jesus and put Jesus in the first place in his life.”
She added that he was generous and self-disciplined. “He was very severe with himself. If I wanted to buy two pairs of shoes, he said, no, one is sufficient.”
He encouraged his family to give to those in need and was known for his strong sense of compassion.
Miracles attributed to Carlo Acutis’s intercession
Carlo Acutis’ path to sainthood accelerated after the Church recognized two miracles linked to him. One involved a 4-year-old Brazilian boy with a severe pancreatic disorder, and the other a 21-year-old Costa Rican woman critically injured in a bike accident. In both cases, the individuals’ mothers prayed to Acutis for help.
“These miracles are signs,” said Bishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi, adding that Carlo’s smile and joy have resonated with people around the world.
Relics and warnings against online sales
As interest in Carlo grows, so has demand for relics. Items claimed to be from his clothing and body have appeared for sale online, including on eBay. Bishop Sorrentino called the sales “horrible” and said he has asked police to confiscate such items.
The Catholic Church forbids the sale of relics, which are meant to serve as tools of devotion and prayer.
Many young people are flocking to Assisi for inspiration.
“I felt great emotion at seeing a boy younger than me who lived a happy life despite his sickness,” said 18-year-old Emanuele Iaquaniello from Frosinone.
Lorenzo Dalia, also 18, said he was “dumbfounded” by Carlo’s deep faith. “He’s surely a symbol of strength—not just for teens, but for all people,” he said.
