Carlo Acutis is an extraordinary example of a young person whose deep faith and digital savvy earned him the nickname “God’s influencer.”
Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Italy, Acutis was a computer prodigy and a devout Catholic. Despite his parents not being particularly religious, his faith was significantly influenced by his Polish nanny.
Acutis is notable for using his technological skills to promote Catholicism, including creating a website to document Eucharistic miracles worldwide.
His devotion and innovative approach to faith have made him a significant figure in the Catholic Church’s efforts to resonate with younger generations in the digital era.
Carlo Acutis’ path to sainthood accelerated following his death from leukemia at the age of 15 in 2006. His beatification was approved after a miracle attributed to him in 2020, where he reportedly healed a Brazilian boy with a pancreatic defect. With a second miracle now recognized by Pope Francis, Acutis is set to become the first millennial saint.
His body, now housed in a shrine in Assisi, Italy, has become a place of pilgrimage, highlighting his enduring impact.
The final step towards his canonization involves a meeting of cardinals to confirm his sainthood and set a date for the ceremony.
Acutis’ story is seen as particularly relevant for the Catholic Church’s mission to engage with a younger, digitally connected audience.
