Pope Leo XIV Canonizes First Millennial Saint Carlo Acutis in St. Peter's Square

Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old computer prodigy nicknamed “God’s Influencer,” as the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square attended by thousands. Acutis, born in London and raised in Milan, used his programming skills to create a multilingual website documenting Eucharistic miracles, blending technology and faith in a way that resonated with the digital generation. The Pope praised Acutis and another young Italian saint, Pier Giorgio Frassati, for dedicating their lives to God and urged young people to transform their lives into "masterpieces" by following their example. Acutis was known for his deep devotion, spending hours in prayer and limiting video game time, and died from leukemia at age 15 in 2006. His casual appearance and relatable life story have inspired many young Catholics, positioning him as a modern role model for holiness in everyday life. The canonization marks the first saint-making event of Pope Leo’s pontificate and reflects the church's effort to engage youth through figures who embrace both faith and contemporary culture.