First millennial saint Carlo Acutis will be canonized Sept. 7, the pope
says
[June 13, 2025]
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Friday set Sept. 7 as the rescheduled
date to canonize the Catholic Church’s first millennial-era saint Carlo
Acutis.
Leo made the announcement during a meeting of cardinals, known as a
consistory, to set the dates for a handful of new saints.
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The body of Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died in 2006 of leukemia,
lies in his tomb in Assisi, Italy, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP
Photo/Gregorio Borgia, file) |
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Acutis’ canonization was originally scheduled for April 27, but
was postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
Acutis was 15 when he died in northern Italy in 2006, after a
short bout with leukemia. He has become enormously popular
especially among young Catholics who have been flocking to his
tomb in Assisi.
While he enjoyed regular pastimes for his age — hiking, video
games, and joking around with friends – he also taught catechism
in a local parish and did outreach to the homeless. He used his
computer skills to create an online exhibit about more than 100
eucharistic miracles recognized by the church over many
centuries.
His tomb in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site especially
during the 2025 Holy Year underway. It features a glass coffin
in which Acutis can be seen dressed in sneakers, jeans and a
sweatshirt,
In setting the Sept. 7 date, Leo announced that Acutis would be
canonized along with another Italian Catholic, Pier Giorgio
Frassati, who also died young at age 24 after contracting polio.
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