Pope Leo XIV Declares New Saint for the Digital Age

Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV has announced the dedication of a computer that will ring in Sundays for the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint, a move intended to inspire the next generation of Catholics with a figure who effectively utilized technology to share his faith, earning him the title “God’s Influencer.”

The new saint, Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006, gained recognition at a ceremony attended by approximately 80,000 individuals, including many millennials and young families. Alongside him, Pope Leo also canonized another revered Italian, Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died young as well.

Pope Leo remarked that both saints created “masterpieces” in life through their devotion to God. He emphasized that, “The biggest risk in life is to waste it on anything other than God’s plan.” The newly recognized saint serves as an invitation, particularly for young people, to elevate their lives towards a higher purpose.

Acutis was born in London in 1991 to a well-off Catholic family and returned to Milan shortly after. His upbringing was filled with typical joys and a deepening religious commitment. Displaying an enthusiasm for computer science from a young age, he immersed himself in university-level programming literature. His legacy includes a prominent website documenting eucharistic miracles acknowledged by the Church, a project he completed at a time when such digital initiatives were largely the domain of specialists.

Known for spending extensive hours in prayer before the Eucharist, Acutis also highlighted the practice of Eucharistic adoration at a time when many Catholics hold doubts about the physical presence of Christ in the sacrament. Interestingly, he limited his video game time to just an hour per week, firmly believing that real-life relationships were far more valuable than virtual interactions. This kind of discipline seems to resonate with church officials, who repeatedly express concerns over the pitfalls of our tech-centric world.

Tragically, in October 2006, Acutis was diagnosed with acute leukemia and swiftly succumbed to the illness. He was laid to rest in Assisi, a place also known for its association with the beloved St. Francis.

In the years that followed his death, young Catholics have made pilgrimages to Assisi in significant numbers. Many visit his glass-sided tomb, where he is seen in jeans and sneakers, seemingly at rest. There is ongoing fascination regarding the preservation of his body, especially as part of him serves as a relic touring the globe.

The canonization ceremony was initially scheduled for earlier this year but was postponed following Pope Francis’ death in April. Francis had ardently advocated for Acutis to be seen as a model for young Catholics in their faith journey.

During the celebrations, many expressed excitement about Acutis leading the way for a new generation of believers. A school guardian named Kowalski mentioned how meaningful it was to have his namesake in the spotlight, noting that it felt joyful to be involved in this historic moment.

The attention Acutis has received has been a part of a larger Vatican initiative, aiming to relate the extraordinary lives of saints to everyday faithful, particularly millennials who navigate a tech-driven reality. In a modern twist, these saints now connect with a generation born between 1981 and 1996, the first to mature in the new millennium.

As reflected in the Mass, 36 Cardinals and hundreds of Bishops and priests celebrated alongside Pope Leo, underscoring the widespread appeal of Acutis among both the ecclesiastical hierarchy and the general public.

Even before the Mass commenced, St. Peter’s Square was bustling with pilgrims, many being young Italians with small children. One Roman attendee shared how important it was for him to have Acutis as a role model, especially in today’s prevalent social media landscape.

Matthew Schmaltz, a religion professor, commented that Acutis’ canonization bridges traditional Catholic values with the contemporary digital age. He pointed out that Acutis exemplifies how Catholics might engage with the digital world while staying grounded in their faith.

Acutis was not the only saint honored, as Frassati was canonized over the weekend as well. He lived from 1901 to 1925 and was known for his charitable works among the poor and his commitment to faith, even at a young age.