Carlo Acutis: The Digital Disciple Set to Become Catholicism’s First Millennial Saint
CHICAGO (AP) — In a groundbreaking move for the Catholic Church, Carlo Acutis, a prodigious Italian teenager who used his computer skills to spread the faith online, is set to be canonized as its first millennial saint this Sunday. The event, taking place at the Vatican, is generating immense excitement among young Catholics globally, especially in places like Chicago, the hometown of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV.
At Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish and its associated school in Chicago’s Northwest Side, the spirit of the young saint-to-be is palpable. Fifth graders delve into comic books titled “Digital Disciple” that chronicle Acutis’s brief yet impactful life. They imagine his phone’s wallpaper and discuss the two authenticated miracles attributed to his intercession, essential steps on the path to sainthood.
A Modern-Day Role Model for a Digital Generation
Acutis, who died in 2006 at just 15 from acute leukemia, has rapidly ascended to near rockstar-like status among young adherents. His popularity is no accident; it is the result of a deliberate campaign by the Vatican to offer a relatable, modern role model who navigated the digital world with deep faith. As the Rev. Ed Howe, pastor at Chicago’s Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish, articulated, Acutis is the “saint next door,” an accessible figure inspiring young people to believe in their own capacity for holiness.
Born in London on May 3, 1991, to wealthy but not particularly devout Italian parents, Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano, Carlo’s family soon moved to Milan. From an early age, he displayed an extraordinary spiritual maturity. He insisted on daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration, a practice he considered the “fixed appointment of his day,” according to his mother. His profound devotion even spurred his parents to rediscover their own faith.
Beyond his piety, Acutis was a computer prodigy. He read college-level programming textbooks as a child, mastering coding and website development years before the widespread advent of social media. Yet, despite his technological prowess, he imposed a strict one-hour weekly limit on his video game time, prioritizing human connections and spiritual growth over virtual distractions. This balance between modern skills and traditional values makes him uniquely appealing to today’s youth.
His most enduring digital legacy is the website he created to document what the Church recognizes as Eucharistic miracles. This extensive online catalog, available in nearly 20 languages, compiles information on 196 seemingly inexplicable events related to the Eucharist throughout church history, allowing millions worldwide to explore and deepen their understanding of Catholic doctrine through a modern medium.
Pope Leo XIV’s First Canonization Ceremony
This Sunday marks Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural canonization ceremony. He will also declare Pier Giorgio Frassati, another popular Italian figure, a saint alongside Acutis. These ceremonies were originally scheduled earlier in the year but were postponed following the death of Pope Francis in April. Pope Francis had been a fervent advocate for Acutis’s canonization, seeing him as a vital bridge to connect with young Catholics and address the complex ethical landscape of the digital age.
Inheriting this vision, Pope Leo XIV has also highlighted technology, particularly artificial intelligence, as a significant challenge for humanity, further underscoring the contemporary relevance of Acutis’s life. As Kathleen Sprows Cummings, a history professor at the University of Notre Dame, notes, canonization often involves “marketing” – strategically elevating figures who meet the specific spiritual needs of a given era.
A Lasting Legacy
Since his passing, millions of young Catholics have journeyed to Assisi, Italy, where Acutis is entombed. Through a glass-sided tomb, they can view his body, remarkably preserved and dressed in his everyday attire: jeans, Nike sneakers, and a sweatshirt, his hands clasped around a Rosary. For those unable to visit, a webcam offers a continuous view of his tomb, providing a level of digital accessibility unprecedented for most saints.
This phenomenon illustrates how Acutis appeals to both the youth, through his modern relatability, and the institutional church, which sees in him a powerful advocate for faith in an increasingly secular and digital world. His story serves as a testament to the idea that holiness is attainable even for “ordinary” kids, demonstrating that technology can be a powerful tool for evangelization rather than solely a source of distraction. As 9-year-old David Cameron from Chicago, a fan of popular video games like Sonic, Minecraft, and Halo, remarked, Acutis was “a great man” who showed him that even limiting screen time (like Acutis’s one hour a week) is a worthy pursuit. Acutis, the “Digital Disciple,” has indeed become a beacon for a new generation of believers.
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Jessie Wardarski and Nicole Winfield reported from Chicago and Vatican City respectively. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
