A Saint from the Internet: For What Achievements Was Italian Teenager Carlo Acutis Canonized (5 photos)

It seems there's no more conservative organization in the world than the Catholic Church. But it turns out it's not immune to modern trends. In 2024, Pope Francis approved the canonization of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis. He became the first saint of this millennium and may even be considered the patron saint of the internet. Why was Carlo so honored after his death?





God's Influencer

Carlo Acutis has been called "God's agent of influence," "the cyber-apostle of the Eucharist," "the cyber-apostle of the Eucharist," and "the internet saint." There are even proposals to make him the patron saint of the internet. Acutis's work popularizing Christianity online has drawn the attention of the church. Furthermore, two cases of miraculous healing involving the deceased youth have been confirmed.



He was born on May 3, 1991, to a wealthy Italian family living in London. The boy's parents worked in the UK, but soon after his birth, they moved to Milan. From an early age, Carlo was very religious, striving to help everyone around him, especially those in need.

Carlo Acutis died in 2006 from leukemia. The disease progressed rapidly, and the teenager left this world just 72 hours after doctors diagnosed it. Before his death, Carlo told his parents:

"I am happy to die because I lived my life without wasting a minute on anything that would not please God."





In his short life, Carlo accomplished much. He worked in a soup kitchen, created several websites for his parish, and developed a portal documenting all the Eucharistic miracles. The press dubbed the boy an "Influencer of God" for his activities. But these deeds are certainly not enough to earn him sainthood after death. Miraculous healings played a key role in Acutis's canonization.

Miracles of Healing

The first case of a prayer to Acutis helping someone recover was recorded in Brazil in 2020. There, an appeal to the Influencer of God cured a child of a congenital pancreatic disease. The Vatican takes such claims seriously and immediately dispatched a commission overseas. It confirmed the miraculous healing.



The second case occurred in Costa Rica. There, a 21-year-old girl was healed from the serious consequences of a bicycle accident. It turned out that she, too, had been helped by prayers to Carlo Acutis. In this case, the mother of the patient, who was in serious condition with a head injury, prayed at the teenager's grave. That same day, the girl was taken off the ventilator, and 10 days later, she walked and talked like a completely healthy person.

Carlo's mother, Antonia Salzano, also recounted some astonishing events. In an interview with Corrierre della Sera, she said that shortly before his death, her son predicted that she would give birth again.

"Carlo predicted that I would become a mother again, even though I was soon turning 40. And in 2010, when I was already 43, I gave birth to twins, Michele and Francesca."



The sarcophagus containing the body of Carlo Acutis in the Sanctuary of the Renunciation of Saint Francis in Assisi

These episodes were enough to raise the question of canonizing the teenager. This process isn't quick, but the important thing is that the Pope has already made his decision. Carlo Acutis will likely become the first Catholic saint of the 21st century and the third millennium in 2025.

The canonization of Carlo Acutis is official. However, the Church has many questions regarding the cult of "Saint Slavik."