Tens of Thousands Witness Canonisation of Carlo Acutis, “God’s Influencer,” at the Vatican
Thousands of people gathered at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to witness the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager celebrated for using the internet to share the Catholic faith, earning him the nickname “God’s Influencer.”
Pope Leo XIV officially declared Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 from leukemia, as the Church’s first millennial saint. The announcement was met with cheers and applause from pilgrims from around the world.
Many young attendees waved flags and held pictures of Acutis, demonstrating his global influence and the admiration for his work online.
“Carlo inspires me because he managed school, sports, and technology while keeping his faith strong,” said 17-year-old Filippo Bellaviti. “The energy here is amazing, and seeing people from all over the world really shows how much he is loved.”
Around 800 visitors traveled from Assisi on a special train to attend the ceremony. Acutis’ body, dressed in jeans and Nike shoes, rests in a glass tomb in Assisi, allowing pilgrims to pay their respects. Giant screens in Assisi broadcasted the ceremony so that those unable to attend could follow along.
Italian mountaineer and social activist Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died in 1925 at age 24 from polio, was also canonised during the ceremony. Tapestries depicting both young saints adorned the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The canonisation had originally been scheduled for April but was postponed following Pope Francis’ death. Pope Leo, presiding over his first canonisation, remarked on the youthful presence, saying, “I am delighted to see so many young people here today.”
Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano, shared that her son would be grateful for the global turnout, describing him as a reminder that “we are all called to holiness and everyone is unique.”
A Life of Faith and Compassion
Born in London in 1991 to Italian parents, Acutis grew up in Milan. Though his parents were not particularly religious, he attended Mass daily and developed a reputation for helping children who were bullied and providing food and blankets to the homeless.
Acutis also loved technology. He taught himself coding and used it to create online content documenting miracles and promoting the Catholic faith. His example shows how young people can use modern tools to make a positive impact.
Bishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi encouraged youth to follow Acutis’ example. “Now more than ever, young people need positive role models. Stories like Carlo’s show how faith, compassion, and hard work can make a lasting difference,” he said.
Miracles Attributed to Carlo Acutis
Two miracles have been credited to Acutis since his death. One involved the healing of a Brazilian child with a rare pancreatic condition, and the other involved the recovery of a Costa Rican student from a serious accident. Both cases involved family prayers seeking his intercession. Acutis was beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis.
Among the attendees was 15-year-old Eleanor Hauser from North Carolina. She said she learned about Acutis from her grandmother and found his story inspiring. “Even young people can make a big difference in the world,” she said.
The canonisation of Carlo Acutis celebrates a young life devoted to faith, kindness, and innovation, encouraging people worldwide—especially the younger generation—to live with purpose and compassion.