Influential figure, deemed by the Pope as "a divine influencer," receives religious acclamation.
In a historic event held in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV declared Italian teenager Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati as saints during a grand mass. This marks the first canonizations since Pope Leo became pope four months ago.
Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 from leukemia, is being hailed as the "Cyber-Apostle" by the Vatican due to his promotion of faith on the internet. The Catholic Church also refers to him as "God's influencer."
The life of Carlo Acutis, prior to his death, is recognised by the Church as exemplary. A "Saint Carlo" cult has emerged, and his body is on display in a glass coffin in a church in Assisi. Over a million people visited his body in Assisi last year. His relics have also been exhibited in Germany.
The second saint canonized was Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died in 1925. The process of canonizing Carlo Acutis took less than 20 years, a significantly shorter time than usual. Two "miraculous healings" are attributed to Carlo Acutis after his death, one in Florence and another in Brazil.
The papal president who ascended to Leo XIV and conducted the first canonizations after being elected four months earlier as the successor of Pope Francis is Robert Francis Prevost, known as Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8, 2025.
The mass was attended by over 80,000 people, according to Vatican figures. Carlo Acutis' parents and his two siblings were present at the canonization. A wave of excitement swept through the crowd as the relics of the two saints were brought to the altar during the mass.
Speaking at the event, Pope Leo spoke of the canonizations as an "invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to waste our lives but to direct them upwards and make them a masterpiece."
The Church hopes that the "Young Saints" will make the church more appealing to its 1.4 billion believers worldwide. In Assisi, souvenirs of not only St. Francis but also of Carlo Acutis are now sold, reflecting the growing interest in the young saint.
However, criticism exists regarding the depth of Carlo Acutis' faith. Despite this, his life and work continue to inspire many, and his influence on the digital world is undeniable. His canonization serves as a reminder that faith can be shared and celebrated in the most unexpected of ways.
