Pope Francis presided over an Ordinary Consistory of Cardinals on July 1, 2024, where he and the cardinals approved the canonization of 15 individuals. Among them was Blessed Carlo Acutis, who will be the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church.
Born in London in 1991 and raised in Italy, Carlo Acutis was a pious child who attended church daily and received communion every day. As he grew older, he became interested in computers and created a website cataloguing church-approved miracles. He was known for his devotion to Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions.
Carlo Acutis helped the homeless, needy, and immigrants with his savings. He died of leukemia in October 2006 at the age of 15.
The canonization process for Carlo Acutis began shortly after his death and moved swiftly due to his popularity and relatability among younger Catholics. He was beatified in 2020, and two miracles have been attributed to him: a Brazilian boy who was healed of a severe birth defect after praying for Acutis' intercession, and a Costa Rican girl who recovered from head trauma after visiting his tomb.
Carlo Acutis is seen as helpful for the Catholic Church in connecting with younger generations in the digital age. His body lies in an open tomb in Assisi, Italy, wearing blue jeans and Nike sneakers.