Pope Francis Approves Teenager Carlo Acutis as First ‘Millennial Saint’

Joy Youell
Hireawriter
Published in
2 min readJul 4, 2024

In a historic move, Pope Francis, alongside a group of cardinals, has approved the canonization of Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager and devoted Catholic who passed away at the age of 15 from leukemia in 2006. Acutis, often referred to as “God’s influencer” and the “patron saint of the internet,” is set to become the first millennial saint.

A New Era for the Catholic Church

The Vatican hopes that Carlo Acutis’ canonization will captivate and inspire younger generations of Catholics. Acutis used social media to spread the word of God, demonstrating the potential for technology to be used for good. His sainthood marks a new era for the Catholic Church, emphasizing the important role of young people in the faith.

Recognizing Carlo’s Miracles

Carlo Acutis’ path to sainthood was accelerated due to two miracles attributed to his intercession. Families in Brazil and Italy reported that their children overcame serious illnesses after praying to Carlo. Typically, canonization can take decades or even centuries as the Church conducts thorough investigations into the lives of potential saints. However, Acutis’ recognized miracles and his influence through digital evangelism have hastened his recognition.

Connecting with Millennials

A recent poll showed that less than half of millennials who identify as Catholic consider religion to be very important in their lives. A Vatican correspondent suggests that Saint Carlo Acutis maybe Pope Francis’ way of bridging this gap. By canonizing a millennial who adeptly used technology for positive purposes, the Pope highlights the significant role young people can play in the Church today.

A Place of Pilgrimage

Carlo Acutis’ legacy continues to draw thousands to his resting place. A 24/7 live stream from his tomb, accompanied by a shrine, has garnered significant attention. In 2020, more than 41,000 people visited the site to celebrate his beatification, indicating his widespread influence and the inspiration he provides to many.

Looking Forward to 2025

Carlo Acutis is expected to be officially canonized during the Jubilee in 2025, a significant event for Catholics worldwide. His canonization will not only honor his life and faith but also serve as a beacon for the younger generation, demonstrating the power of integrating faith with modern technology.

The story of Carlo Acutis is a powerful reminder of how young people can profoundly impact the world through their faith and actions. As he becomes the first millennial saint, his legacy will continue to inspire Catholics around the globe.

Originally published at https://www.hireawriter.us.

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Joy Youell
Hireawriter

Joy Youell is a copywriter and content strategist for, leading in business ads, blogs and more at hireawriter.us