Pope Leo XIV Declares Carlo Acutis as the First Saint of the Millennial Generation

Pope Leo XIV Declares Carlo Acutis and Giorgio Frassati Saints

Pope Leo XIV made headlines this Sunday as he canonized Carlo Acutis and Giorgio Frassati in front of approximately 70,000 attendees at St. Peter’s Square. Acutis, a tech-savvy teenager who tragically passed away in 2006 at just 15 years old, symbolizes a new era of Catholic saints. His parents, Andrea and Antonia, along with his siblings Francesca and Michele, were present to witness the momentous occasion. Leo commended the congregation following a canoeing ritual, honoring the new patron of male youth.

This event marked the inaugural canonization by Pope Leo XIV. During his homily, he devoted much attention to both saints, slightly diverging from the traditional practices of former Popes.

Pope Leo XIV officially recognized Frassati and Acutis as saints of the Catholic Church, as noted in various reports.

“Carlo encountered Jesus through his family, thanks to his parents Andrea and Antonia,” the Pope stated. He highlighted the presence of Acutis’s siblings, Francesca and Michele, and emphasized the importance of the sacraments celebrated in schools and parishes.

The Pope noted how Acutis achieved holiness through the everyday practices available to modern Catholics: “daily masses, prayer, especially the Eucharist.” He characterized the teenager as being “from our own time” and deeply devoted to Jesus, willing to offer everything for his faith.

“Dear friends, Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are here to inspire us to create masterpieces with our lives, instead of squandering them—particularly for our youth,” Leo remarked.