On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV officially declared Carlo Acutis, a young Italian known for his tech skills and faith, as the Catholic Church’s first saint from the millennial generation. Acutis, who enjoyed playing video games and creating humorous films featuring his pets, used technology to spread his faith, earning him the nickname “God’s influencer.”
Carlo Acutis was an English-born Italian raised in Milan, born on 3 May 1991 and passed away at the age of 15 on 6 October 2006, due to acute leukemia. He is celebrated for his passionate devotion to Catholicism and his innovative use of digital media to promote the faith. Acutis developed a keen interest in technology from an early age, teaching himself programming and web design while assisting his parish and school with various digital projects. His efforts inspired many to convert to Catholicism.
Pope Leo XIV officially declared Carlo Acutis, a young tech enthusiast, as the Catholic Church’s first saint representing the millennial generation. This event took place during a special mass in St. Peter’s Square, attended by 80,000 people, many of whom were young families and millennials.
At the same ceremony, Pope Leo XIV also honored Pier Giorgio Frassati, another young Italian who left this world early. In his message, the pope praised both men for the meaningful lives they led, dedicating themselves to God.
“The biggest risk in life is wasting it by living outside of God’s purpose,” Pope Leo said in his sermon. He encouraged everyone, especially young people, not to waste their lives but to aim higher and create beautiful legacies with their lives.