Pope Leo XIV Canonizes New Saints

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed himself the first millennial saint of the Catholic Church, recognizing Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati as saints. Acutis, a 15-year-old computer whiz, passed away due to leukemia in 2006. Frassati, who was a passionate outdoorsman, succumbed to polio in his early 20s back in 1925. Leo praised both individuals for creating “masterpieces” by dedicating their lives to God.

During his homily on Sunday, Pope Leo emphasized, “The biggest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan.” He further noted that young people, in particular, should take inspiration from saints like Acutis and Frassati to shape their lives purposefully instead of squandering them.

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Pope Leo XIV will officiate the canonization mass for Acutis and Frassati in St. Peter’s Square on September 7, 2025. Acutis became known as the “God Influencer” for creating a comprehensive website that showcased the Eucharistic miracles acknowledged by the Church, an endeavor typically reserved for experts.

Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, but his life was cut short when he fell ill with leukemia in 2006. Tragically, he passed away days later, leaving behind a legacy buried in Assisi. Pope Francis believes that figures like Acutis are crucial for attracting young Catholics amidst the challenges of the digital era.

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Pope Leo highlighted the importance of addressing current challenges, like technology and artificial intelligence. He referred to Frassati’s life as a model of faith, characterized by continuous service to the poor. Frassati, in his own quiet way, lived out his faith through acts of kindness, often giving food or money to those in need.