Canonization of Carlo Acutis
We are planning to attend the Mass for Canonization of Carlo Acutis on April 27th (2025). The ceremony will be at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. This is the Mass where the Italian teen will be declared a saint.
Canonization is the formal process through which the Church recognizes someone as a saint. It’s the final step after beatification, which Carlo received in 2020. What makes Carlo’s journey to sainthood particularly notable is both its relative speed — he died only in 2006 — and the fact that he represents the first millennial to be canonized. He is a solid role model for the young people today, including our own kids.
The Life of Blessed Carlo Acutis
Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991, to Italian parents who soon moved back to Milan. From an early age, Carlo showed an unusual devotion to God, requesting to receive Holy Communion as early as possible. Despite his deep faith, Carlo lived the normal life of a modern teen — he enjoyed playing soccer and video games, and he was passionate about computers and technology.
What set Carlo apart was how he balanced these ordinary interests with extraordinary spiritual commitment. He attended daily Mass from his First Communion onwards and had a special devotion to the Eucharist, calling it his “highway to heaven.” He also demonstrated remarkable compassion for others, using his allowance to buy sleeping bags for the homeless and bringing food to them on his way home from school.
Carlo’s technological skills were exceptional for his age. He taught himself computer programming and web design, skills he would later use to document Eucharistic miracles from around the world. We often refer to his website during our travels when encountering a Eucharistic miracle. His mother described him as a natural at understanding computers — a talent he dedicated to spreading the faith.
In the summer of 2006, Carlo was diagnosed leukemia. He accepted his diagnosis with remarkable serenity, offering his sufferings for the Pope and the Church. He died on October 12, 2006, at just 15 years old. Before his death, he said, “I’m happy to die because I’ve lived my life without wasting even a minute of it on anything unpleasing to God.”
Visiting the Tomb of Carlo Acutis
After completing the Via Francigena, we went to Assisi to venerate the great Saint Francis but had a delightful surprise. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi holds the tomb of Carlo Acutis. There is no fanfare. He lies in repose, visible though the tomb’s glass window, wearing jeans, Nike sneakers, and a simple sweatshirt — a testament to his identity as a normal 21st century boy. While he appears life-like, his body is not incorrupt.
On the wall behind him are bas relief images from his life. Many scenes were recognizable to us from vacation pictures his mother shared in her excellent book. The availability of “everyday” photos (and videos, in color!) of Carlo helps make him relatable to everyone.
While we were there, a family was kneeling in prayer. One rough-looking 30-ish man seemed particularly moved by his time there and kept his hand on the tomb, his gaze never leaving the face of this inspirational soul.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us!
