A British-born teenager known for his deep Catholic faith and love of technology is set to become the first millennial saint, following the Vatican’s confirmation of two miracles attributed to him.
Carlo Acutis, who was born in London in 1991 but spent most of his life in Milan, died of leukaemia in 2006 at just 15 years old. Since his death, the young computer enthusiast and devout Catholic has been dubbed “God’s influencer” — and now, he will officially be canonised as a saint in a landmark Vatican ceremony.
The canonisation will take place on Sunday 7 September at the Vatican and marks the first such event overseen by newly elected Pope Leo XIV. It was originally scheduled for April but postponed following the death of Pope Francis.
Canonisation is the formal process by which the Catholic Church recognises a deceased person as a saint, confirming their place in heaven and permitting public veneration. Traditionally, the process requires the performance of two miracles, confirmed by Church officials as medically and scientifically unexplainable.
Acutis, a boy known as much for his skill with computers as his spiritual devotion, has now been credited with both.
The first miracle involved a Brazilian toddler, Matheus Vianna, who was suffering from a rare congenital disorder known as annular pancreas — a condition that can restrict digestion and often requires surgery. According to the Church, Vianna’s family sought help from a local priest, Father Marcelo Tenorio, who had been involved in blessing Acutis’ remains as part of the pre-canonisation process.
Tenorio reportedly touched a piece of Carlo’s clothing to the child and offered prayers for healing. According to the family, the toddler’s symptoms vanished, and he never experienced health problems related to the condition again.
The second miracle attributed to Acutis involved a young Costa Rican woman named Valeria Valverde, who had suffered a serious brain haemorrhage following a bicycle accident.
After doctors warned of a grim prognosis, Valeria’s mother reportedly prayed at Carlo Acutis’ tomb in Assisi, Italy, asking for her daughter’s recovery. According to reports, within days, Valeria’s condition dramatically improved, and she was later discharged from hospital after what medics described as a full and unexplained recovery.
Acutis’ body now lies in a glass tomb in Assisi, dressed in jeans and trainers — an intentional decision to reflect his modern-day identity. The tomb has become a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands of visitors, many of whom are drawn to his youth, his everyday appearance, and his status as a devout yet relatable figure.
His mother, Antonia Salzano, has spoken frequently of her son’s dedication to his faith, describing him as having a “special relationship with God” from a very early age.
“He always tried to include others, to help those less fortunate, and to never exclude anyone,” she said in an earlier interview. “He was generous, warm, and absolutely committed to his faith.”
Carlo’s passion for technology also set him apart. As a teenager, he created a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles around the world and helped his local parish set up online outreach tools. At just 11, he was reportedly already learning to code, edit videos, and design websites — a skillset that earned him the nickname “God’s influencer” among Catholic circles.
Despite being a typical boy in many ways — he loved PlayStation, football, and Nutella — Carlo also had a deep desire to use his life for a higher purpose. He once wrote: “My life plan is to be always close to Jesus.”
His mother has said that when Carlo was diagnosed with leukaemia, he accepted it with courage and grace. “He offered his suffering up to the Pope and to the Church,” she said.
Now, nearly two decades after his death, that suffering and devotion are being recognised in the most profound way possible by the Catholic Church.
Carlo Acutis will be canonised in a ceremony expected to draw thousands of pilgrims, tech-savvy Catholics, and young people inspired by his modern example of faith. His life — a blend of 21st-century technology and traditional religious devotion — stands as a powerful symbol of how the Church continues to evolve in a digital world.
While debates around canonisation often stir controversy, especially when it comes to claims of miracles, Carlo’s story has resonated widely. Young Catholics, in particular, see in him a reflection of their own challenges and aspirations — a teen who navigated the modern world without losing sight of his values.
As the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis now enters the history books. His canonisation on Sunday not only marks a significant spiritual moment for the Catholic Church, but also offers a unique bridge between faith and the digital age — a message his followers hope will inspire a new generation.