With a massive ceremony in St. Peter's Square , the Catholic Church inscribed Carlo Acutis in the Book of Saints. The young Italian, who died at age 15 from acute leukemia, thus becomes a figure of reference for youth ministry because of his witness of faith lived in everyday life and in the digital world.
The celebration, presided over by Pope Leo XIV , brought together tens of thousands of people—with a large presence of teenagers and university students—and was marked by classic liturgical elements of the rite: readings of biographies, the Litany of the Saints, and the incensing of relics. The following day, in St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro presided over the Mass of Thanksgiving and emphasized the quiet humility and charity that defined the life of the new saint.
The canonization in St. Peter's Square
From early morning, long queues formed at 6:30 a.m. to enter the square. Tapestries bearing the faces of the new saints hung on the basilica's facade. The proclamation was the first presided over by the current pontiff and was accompanied by the reading of the Gospel in Latin and Greek, a gesture that underscores the universal dimension of holiness.
Along with families and parish groups from all over the world, the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, was present . Carlo's mother, Antonia Salzano, carried to the altar the relic of the young man's pericardium, already used in his beatification and which has traveled to numerous countries as a sign of veneration.
The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, presented Acutis's life as an invitation to orient one's existence "towards the heights ," and to recognize holiness in small, daily gestures. He also focused on the Marian context of the following day—the Nativity of the Virgin—to explain how humility paves the way for hope.
The Latin formula and the final applause sealed Carlo's inscription in the calendar of saints. Thousands of young people carried images of him, and many recognized themselves in his relatable style: jeans, sneakers, and a backpack —an iconography that has helped make him a bridge between generations.
Life, faith and Marian devotion
Born in London and raised in Milan, Carlo stood out for his technological curiosity and his simple faith. He learned to create websites for parish projects and associations, and dedicated time to catechesis, volunteering, and supporting peers facing difficulties. His passion for computers never overshadowed his spiritual life: he used the internet to share content about the Eucharist and testimonies of faith, anticipating evangelization in a digital way.
Among his most notable traits, his daily Marian devotion held a central place: praying the Rosary was a regular ritual, and he renewed his consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary several times. His predilection for shrines—with Pompeii as a frequent stop—reflected a desire for inner silence and listening, as Cardinal Semeraro emphasized in his thanksgiving homily.
In October 2006, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and died a few days later at the age of 15. His remains rest in Assisi, in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (Sanctuary of the Spogliazione), where the flow of pilgrims has grown remarkably; almost a million visits were recorded last year, according to the diocese.
The popularity of his figure has spread on social media and among young people in many countries, with pastoral initiatives, shrines, and schools now looking to Acutis as a role model. Meanwhile, the Italian Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the sale of alleged relics online, a practice that violates canon law , which prohibits their commercialization.
Miracles, process and impact
The path to sainthood was swift by today's standards: her beatification was celebrated in 2020, and after the recognition of a second sign, canonization followed. The Holy See confirmed two cures attributed to her intercession: that of a child in Brazil with a congenital malformation of the pancreas (2013) and that of a young woman from Costa Rica who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (2022) after her mother made a pilgrimage to her tomb in Assisi.
The speed of the process and the Eucharistic emphasis of his initiatives have also sparked academic debate. Some theologians urge caution in the search for “extraordinary signs,” while others emphasize that his testimony has revived religious practice among many young people and communities. In any case, the canonical process maintained its stages: examination of virtues and miracles by teams of doctors and theologians, with the final decision resting with the Pope.
With his canonization, parishes and schools around the world can bear his name. The liturgical memorial of Saint Carlo Acutis will be celebrated on October 12 , coinciding with the anniversary of his death. At the same ceremony, the young layman Pier Giorgio Frassati was canonized ; his feast day is July 4.
Beyond popular fervor, his figure resonates with current challenges: the ethical use of the internet, peer support, and a spiritual life lived in the context of normalcy. For many, Acutis has become an invitation to integrate digital life and faith with critical thinking and responsibility, avoiding excesses and directing talents toward the common good.
The echo of the canonization has left a revealing image: young people from many countries, families, and authorities sharing the same celebration, and a message that resonates with contemporary pastoral care. A teenager who loved technology and the Eucharist—without grand gestures or fanfare—has become a symbol of a holiness that is approachable, luminous, and attainable in everyday life.