Carlo Acutis will be canonized this Sunday (September 7) in Rome. Dying at the age of fifteen from leukemia, he is one of the youngest saints—the first millennial one.

Originally Pope Francis scheduled this canonization for April 27, but after he died, Pope Leo inherited the job of canonizing this young boy.

Carlo’s Childhood

Carlo was born in London in 1991 to wealthy Italian parents. A few months later the family moved to Milan, Italy. As a child, he was cared for by nannies. A Polish nanny answered his questions about the Catholic religion.

On the way to a school run by Sisters, he would stop to talk to the foreign caretakers of homes. During the summers he stayed with his grandparents and joined older women in church to pray the rosary.

He attended a Jesuit high school, where he was an average student but he became a whiz at information technology and computers. With this skill, he designed websites for his parish and one to promote volunteers, for which he won a national competition.

Carlo enjoyed playing computer games and soccer and taught himself to play the saxophone. A handsome, likable boy, he wasn’t shy about revealing that his goal was to be close to Jesus.

His parents were not religious. But Carlo’s faith brought his mother back to the church. He also converted an immigrant who worked for the family as well as the man’s friend. The boy has been dubbed “God’s Influencer.”

When he was twelve, he became a catechist.

The Eucharist

In particular Carlo had a strong devotion to the Eucharist, which he called his “highway to heaven.” In fact, he created a website for cataloguing Eucharistic miracles worldwide—136 of them. For that reason, he is called “Cyber Apostle.” Carlo’s photo exhibition of the Eucharistic miracles has traveled to every continent, including Antarctica.

Carlo’s Early Death

While in pain in the hospital Carlo offered his sufferings for the pope and the Church. At first he was buried in a local cemetery, but then his body was exhumed and his wish to be buried in Assisi was granted. His tomb is in part of the Church of Saint Mary Major there, next to the site where St. Francis of Assisi shed his clothes to follow Jesus. Carlo’s body is inside a glass case, clothed in jeans, sneakers, and a sweatshirt. It is covered with a layer of wax molded to look like him.

About two weeks ago a statue of Carlo Acutis was unveiled outside the church.

Canonization

Carlo’s canonization is timely. It seems that today more than ever, youth need a role model, someone their age to inspire them to be their best selves.

To be approved as a saint, a person must have shown heroic virtue. Carlo practiced numerous acts of charity. He gave away personal belongings, bought sleeping bags for the homeless, worked at soup kitchens, and prepared meals for people living on the streets. At his funeral, many of the people he had befriended were present.

• Have you seen the Eucharistic display at a parish? If so, what were your impressions?

• Do you know a young person who shows extraordinary faith?

To learn more about Carlo, watch a video of people who speak about him: