Pope Francis Clears the Way for Italian Teenager to Become First Millennial Saint
In a groundbreaking announcement, the Vatican revealed that Pope Francis has attributed a second miracle to Italian teenager Carlo Acutis, paving the way for him to become the first millennial saint. Carlo, who passed away at the young age of 15 in 2006, is known for his computer skills and is often referred to as the patron saint of the internet among Roman Catholics.
Carlo’s journey to sainthood began in 2020 when the Diocese of Assisi petitioned the Vatican to recognize him as a saint. In February of the same year, Pope Francis attributed the healing of a boy to Carlo, marking him as the first millennial to be beatified by the church. The final step towards canonization required the approval of a second miracle, which has now been granted.
The second miracle involved the recovery of a Costa Rican university student who suffered severe head trauma after a bicycle accident in Florence. The woman’s mother prayed for her daughter at Carlo’s tomb in Assisi, and soon after, the young woman began to show signs of improvement. Doctors were amazed to see the hemorrhage on her brain vanish, leading to her transfer to a rehabilitation facility.
Carlo’s mother, Antonia Acutis, shared that her son’s faith and selfless acts of kindness inspired many, with people from around the world reporting miraculous healings after praying to him. She described Carlo as a beacon of light in the digital world, using his computer skills to spread positivity and faith.
Kathleen Sprows Cummings, a history professor at the University of Notre Dame, believes that Carlo’s canonization as a saint is a significant milestone. She sees Carlo as a relatable figure for young Catholics, offering them a positive example of using technology for good and potentially rekindling their connection to the church.
As the Vatican prepares for Carlo’s formal canonization ceremony, the world eagerly anticipates the official recognition of this remarkable young man as a saint, symbolizing hope and inspiration for a new generation.
