An Italian teenager who passed away in 2006 may soon be declared a saint by the Catholic Church following the attribution of two miracles to him. Carlos Acutis, a young individual deeply devoted to his faith, technology, and gaming, is poised to become the first saint of the millennial generation. Known as 'God's influencer,' Acutis was a teenage gamer and computer programmer whose life is set to be officially recognized by the Catholic Church.
Almost 18 years after his untimely death at the age of 15 due to leukemia, Pope Francis has acknowledged a second miracle associated with Acutis, clearing the path for his canonization. Hailing from London but of Italian descent, Acutis was a computer whiz who utilized his technical expertise to promote awareness of the Catholic faith. He created a website that chronicled accounts of miracles, further solidifying his reputation as a saintly figure who resonates with today's youth.
Acutis' mother, Antonia Salzano, continues to share the inspiring message of her son's life, emphasizing the accessibility of holiness in the modern era. Despite the prevalent notion that holiness is a relic of the past, Acutis serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that sanctity is attainable even in contemporary times.
Raised in Milan, Acutis enjoyed typical teenage pursuits such as video games, sports, and creating humorous videos featuring his family pets. To achieve sainthood, the Catholic Church typically requires evidence of two miracles. The most recent miracle linked to Acutis involved the recovery of a woman from Costa Rica who sustained a head injury following a bicycle accident in Florence, Italy. Her healing was attributed to prayers offered at Acutis' tomb.
Acutis was beatified and declared blessed after the validation of his first miracle in 2020, which involved the healing of a young Brazilian boy with a pancreatic birth defect that hindered his ability to eat normally. The final stage in the process involves the Pope convening a council of cardinals to approve Acutis' canonization, after which a date for the official declaration of sainthood will be determined.
