Pope Francis is about to canonize the first saint of the millennial generation. A few days ago, a second miracle was attributed to beatified 15-year-old Carlo Acutis. According to a statement released by the Vatican, after her mother went on a pilgrimage to Acutis’ tomb in Assisi in July 2022, a 21-year-old girl from Costa Rica, who had suffered severe head trauma after falling from her bicycle, showed signs of recovery. Now it is only a matter of time: the ceremony may be held as soon as this October or in 2025 during the Jubilee Year.
Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London from Italian parents, Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano. When he was a child they moved to Milan. From a very young age, Carlo had always shown a strong faith and a deep passion for computing, which gave him the name of “the patron saint of the Internet.” Self-taught, by studying from university textbooks, he learned how to code and edit videos. His mother Antonia recalled that he had conversations with his videogame buddies about the importance of going to Mass and that he put together an exhibition on Eucharistic miracles thanks to his technological skills.
Antonia admitted that, before Carlo, she and her husband were not devout. But her son made her study theology in order to answer his questions and visit lots of churches in Milan, renewing her faith. By the age of 7, Carlo received the sacrament of Holy Communion.
He died of leukemia on October 12, 2006. He was buried in sweats and sneakers in Assisi at his own request, as a devoted admirer of Saint Francis for his devotion to the poor. There, he was beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis, becoming the youngest person. His tomb is on display for pilgrims.
