Pope Leo XIV Announces Canonization of First Millennial Saint

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:51:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teen known for his tech-savvy spirituality, will be canonized on September 7, following a postponed ceremony originally set for April.

Pope Leo XIV confirmed that Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006, would become the Roman Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. Acutis, celebrated for his digital engagement and daily church attendance, will be canonized in St. Peter's Square, alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Pope Leo XIV has scheduled the canonization of Carlo Acutis for September 7, marking him as the first millennial saint in the Roman Catholic Church's history. Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15, was known as “God’s influencer” due to his exemplary life marked by spiritual devotion, internet-savvy initiatives, and a commitment to kindness. His originally planned canonization ceremony in April was postponed following the death of Pope Francis.

Since his beatification in 2020, Acutis has drawn many pilgrims, particularly teenagers, to his tomb in Assisi, Italy. This date aligns with the Jubilee of Teenagers, part of a series of Holy Year events. His rapid path to sainthood—just 19 years posthumously—highlights the societal significance of today's youth in the church. Acutis’s life has left a lasting impact, inspiring the establishment of chapels and schools in his honor globally.

Pope Leo XIV has also affirmed the canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati alongside Acutis, a century-old advocate for Christian life. The ceremony is anticipated to attract significant attention at St. Peter's Square.