Pope Leo Declares Carlo Acutis, ‘God’s Influencer,’ the First Millennial Saint

The canonization Mass took place in St. Peter’s Square before a crowd of nearly 80,000 many of them millennials, families, and young children eager to witness a rare blend of ancient ritual and contemporary relevance. Pope Leo also canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati, another young Italian known for his devotion and service, calling both men “masterpieces” of a life lived in pursuit of God.

“The greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan,” Pope Leo told the faithful. “These young saints remind us not to squander our years but to direct them upward, shaping lives that are masterpieces.”

Carlo Acutis: A Digital Native Who Turned Tech Into Ministry

Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991, into a wealthy but not especially religious Italian family. Shortly after, his parents returned to Milan, where Carlo lived what looked like a typical, happy childhood except for one unusual thread: his fierce and growing devotion to God.

While most teenagers were glued to their PlayStations, Carlo was teaching himself advanced programming. This achievement earned him the moniker “God’s influencer” long before the age of Instagram and TikTok.

Carlo’s life was also marked by remarkable discipline. He limited himself to just one hour of video games per week, firmly believing that human connection and time with God mattered infinitely more than endless scrolling or screen time. He also spent hours in Eucharistic adoration, quietly praying in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, a devotion the Church has been trying to revive at a time when surveys show declining belief in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.

A Short Life, a Lasting Legacy

In October 2006, tragedy struck. At just 15 years old, Carlo was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Within days, his vibrant life was cut short. Yet even in death, his influence expanded. He was buried in Assisi, the resting place of St. Francis, another saint who captured the imagination of generations.

To young Catholics today, Carlo represents a saint who feels startlingly familiar — a teenager who loved computers, sneakers, and soccer, yet chose prayer, restraint, and service over indulgence.

A Saint for the Digital Generation

Hours before the canonization Mass, pilgrims flooded into St. Peter’s Square. Many were young Italians, pushing strollers or clutching smartphones, drawn by the story of a modern boy who found holiness not in monasteries but in the everyday rhythms of technology and faith.

“I learned from teachers and classmates how joyful he was, how much light he carried,” said Leopoldo Antimi, a 27-year-old Roman who arrived early to secure a spot in the square. “Even on social media, it matters to have someone like him — a saint who understands the world we live in.”

Carlo Acutis is now officially a saint, but perhaps more importantly, he is a reminder that holiness is not a relic of the past. For young people caught between Wi-Fi signals and spiritual longing, he stands as proof that faith can flourish even in the age of algorithms.