Background and Relevance of Carlo Acutis
An Italian teenager, born in the UK and who passed away from leukemia in 2006, will be canonized as a Catholic saint on Sunday. The ceremony, presided over by Pope Leo XIII in St. Peter’s Square, is expected to draw tens of thousands of faithful.
Carlo Acutis, who lived to be 15, learned computer skills to create websites and spread his faith. His story has captivated young Catholics, and he will now be elevated to the same level as Mother Teresa and St. Francis of Assisi.
Postponement and New Pontiff
The ceremony, initially planned for April, was postponed following the death of Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIII, elected in May to succeed Francis, will now preside over such an event for the first time.
Pope Leo XIII will also canonize Pier Giorgio Frassati, an Italian youth known for helping the needy and who died of polio in the 1920s.
Carlo Acutis’ Life and Impact
Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano, told Reuters earlier this year that the appeal of her son to Catholic youth lay in his living a typical teenage life in the 2000s.
“Carlo was an ordinary boy like the others. He played, had friends, and went to school. His extraordinary quality was opening his heart to Jesus and giving Him priority.”
“He used this ability to spread the good news, the Gospel,” Salzano added. “He wanted to help people have more faith, understand that there is life after death, and that we are pilgrims in this world.”
Being named a saint signifies that the Church believes the person lived a holy life and now resides with God in Heaven.
Other Early-Deceased Saints
Other saints who died at a young age include:
- Teresa de Lisieux, who died at 24 in 1897 and was known for promoting a “little path of charity”.
- St. Luigi Gonzaga, who died at 23 in 1591 after attending to victims of a Roman epidemic.
Acutis’ Final Resting Place
As Acutis progressed along the Church’s official path to sainthood, his body was moved to a church in Assisi, central Italy, per his last wishes. Acutis is entombed there with a detailed wax mold made in his likeness, dressed in his tracksuit, jeans, and sneakers.
This final resting place has become a popular devotion site, drawing thousands of faithful daily.
