Looks like the first Millennial saint is finally about to be canonized. Pope Leo XIV gave the official word that it’s happening in just a few weeks.
He made the announcement earlier this month during his first public consistory after becoming Pope in May. Along with Carlo Acutis, he approved seven other canonizations too.
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Pope Leo announces the official canonization date
Carlo’s canonization was actually supposed to happen back in April, on the 27th. But when Pope Francis passed away on April 21, everything was put on hold.
Now it’s back on the calendar. After almost twenty years in the making, the ceremony is set for September 7.
Carlo Acutis’ life was devoted to faith and service
Carlo was born in London, but his roots were Italian. He spent most of his life in Milan, where he was super involved in the Church.
He got his first communion at just seven years old and even as a kid, he would give money to people who needed it more.
He earned the nickname ‘God’s influencer’ for good reason
As he got older, he started cooking hot meals for people living on the streets. He did this regularly.
He was also into computers and tech stuff, which is how he ended up being called “God’s influencer.”
His untimely death moved many in the Catholic world
Carlo died young. He was only 15 when he passed away from leukemia in 2006.
After his death, people started talking about him possibly becoming a saint. The Vatican later looked into two reported miracles tied to him.
A miracle healed a Brazilian toddler from a deadly disease
One of those miracles involved a two-year-old boy in Brazil named Matheus Vianna. He had a rare and serious condition called annular pancreas.
His mom didn’t know what else to do, so she turned to the Church. A priest named Father Marcelo Tenorio was taking part in a pre-canonization event at the time. He touched a piece of Carlo’s clothing to the boy and prayed for healing.
After that, the family said Matheus never got sick again.
Another miracle reversed a traumatic brain injury
There was another case in Costa Rica. A woman named Valeria Valverde had a brain hemorrhage after a bad accident and wasn’t expected to make it.
Her mom went to pray by Carlo’s coffin. Not long after, Valeria started breathing again. Eventually, doctors said her brain hemorrhage was completely gone and she was well enough to leave the hospital.
The Church preserved his body for nearly two decades
Since his death, Carlo’s body has been kept preserved for 19 years.
He was originally going to be canonized by Pope Francis before the delay.
Pope Francis’ death delayed the canonization process
When a pope dies, a bunch of official Church activities have to stop for a while. That’s what caused the hold-up in Carlo’s canonization plans.
Acutis will be canonized alongside another young servant
Pope Leo also shared that Carlo won’t be the only one being canonized that day.
He’ll be joined by Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at age 24. He had caught polio while helping sick people.