Thousands Visit Body of Teenager Poised to Become First Millennial Saint

 

Pilgrims from around the world have been gathering in Assisi, Italy, to witness the preserved body of Carlo Acutis, the British-born teenager set to become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint.

Acutis, who passed away from leukaemia at age 15 in 2006, has been credited with multiple miracles, leading to his upcoming canonisation on April 27, 2025. His sainthood is being celebrated as part of the Church's Jubilee of Teenagers, a global religious event scheduled between April 25 and April 27.

Born in London in 1991, Carlo Acutis moved to Milan, Italy, as a child. A devout Catholic, he used his love for technology to spread religious teachings online, earning him the nickname “God’s Influencer” and “the Patron Saint of the Internet.”

Even at a young age, he demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to helping the less fortunate—defending bullied classmates, feeding the homeless, and encouraging friends to embrace their faith.

In 2020, Pope Francis beatified Acutis, a key step towards sainthood, after the Vatican confirmed his intercession in the miraculous healing of a Brazilian boy suffering from a rare pancreatic disease. In May 2024, a second miracle was confirmed, finalizing the path for his canonisation.

Acutis' dedication to Catholicism extended beyond traditional practices. Before his death, he built a website, “The Eucharistic Miracles of the World”, to document and research miraculous occurrences in the Church. His computer skills and passion for evangelism made him an inspiration to many young Catholics navigating faith in the digital era.

"He was a computer genius, so this probably makes him very close to the people of nowadays," his mother shared in an interview.

Despite his love for video games, football, and social media, Acutis remained deeply committed to his faith, showing that modern technology could be used as a tool for spirituality and connection.

The final miracle attributed to Acutis involved a Costa Rican woman who had suffered severe head trauma from a bike accident. In 2022, her mother prayed at Acutis’ tomb in Assisi, leaving a handwritten note asking for his intercession.

That same day, her daughter began breathing independently.

Ten days later, doctors declared her completely healed as the brain haemorrhage had disappeared.

With this second verified miracle, Pope Francis officially confirmed Acutis' canonisation, making him the youngest contemporary saint.

In 2019, Acutis' body was exhumed and placed in a glass tomb at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi. His remains are preserved with a wax layer sculpted to resemble his appearance before burial, allowing visitors to see him as he lived.

His legacy continues to inspire millions, particularly young people, as he becomes a symbol of faith, kindness, and modern evangelism.

On April 27, 2025, Carlo Acutis will officially become a saint, solidifying his place in Catholic history as the first millennial to achieve sainthood.