When we think of saints, we often think of figures from centuries past. But recent developments suggest that the first millennial saint may soon be recognized, someone who died not so long ago!
Meet Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who died of leukemia in 2006 at just 15 years old. The Vatican recently announced that Pope Francis has begun the process of canonizing him. Often referred to as the patron saint of the Internet, Carlo is celebrated for his remarkable computer skills and the way he used them to express his faith.
Carlo was born in London to Italian parents and moved to Milan at an early age. His passion for Catholicism blossomed at a young age, inspiring his mother Antonia Acutis to return to church when he was seven. He regularly attended Mass and was involved in helping those in need, often donating to the homeless.
In the months before his death, Carlo used his self-taught computer skills to create a website dedicated to showcasing miracles. After his death, his mother received countless reports from people all over the world claiming to have experienced miraculous healings after praying to Carlo, including cures from cancer and infertility. “Carlo was a shining light against the dark side of the Internet”, his mother noted, and some called him “God’s influencer”.
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Carlos’s path to canonization began in 2020, when the Diocese of Assisi petitioned the Vatican. Pope Francis credited him with healing a boy with a malformed pancreas after the child came into contact with one of Carlos’ shirts.
For the canonization to take place, the Pope must recognize a second miracle. According to the Vatican, it concerns a student from Costa Rica who suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident in Florence. After her mother prayed at Carlos’ grave, the young woman improved significantly and doctors expected her to survive a critical operation.
The Pope announced plans to convene a group of cardinals to evaluate Carlo’s canonization, but no date has been set for the official canonization ceremony. The potential canonization of Carlo as the first saint born in the millennium promises to be a fascinating event.