By Reuters – Edited for Publication
On April 27, the Catholic Church will make history by canonizing its first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, a teenage tech whiz and devout Catholic who died from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. Known for cataloguing Eucharistic miracles online, Acutis is often referred to as the “God’s Influencer.” His canonization marks a significant moment in Church history—not just for his youth, but also for how his digital evangelization speaks to the current generation.
The Saint-Making Process: Step-by-Step
Sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church is not simply awarded—it is discerned through a detailed and rigorous process known as a cause. Traditionally, this cannot begin until five years after the person’s death, although exceptions are sometimes made (as in the case of Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II).
- Servant of God
Once the cause officially opens, the individual is referred to as a Servant of God. This means the Church has begun formally examining their life and holiness. - Venerable
If the Church concludes that the person lived a life of heroic virtue, they are declared Venerable. This involves a thorough examination by historical and theological commissions, who analyze writings, testimonies, and the person’s overall life. - Blessed (Beatification)
For a Venerable to be beatified, a miracle attributed to their intercession must occur—usually a healing deemed scientifically inexplicable. For martyrs (those killed in hatred of the faith), this step does not require a miracle. - Saint (Canonization)
A second miracle, occurring after beatification, is required for canonization. After this miracle is confirmed by both medical experts and theologians, the Pope may declare the person a saint.
Carlo Acutis’ Miracles
Carlo was beatified in 2020, following the healing of a 4-year-old Brazilian boy with a rare pancreatic condition. The second miracle, approved for his canonization, involved a 21-year-old Costa Rican woman who recovered from severe brain trauma after a bicycle accident—both families had prayed for Carlo’s intercession.
Legacy of Youthful Saints
Acutis joins other young saints like St. Therese of Lisieux (died at 24) and St. Aloysius Gonzaga (died at 23), whose brief but fervent lives of faith left lasting impacts. Like them, Acutis exemplified holiness in the everyday—albeit with a 21st-century twist: he coded, played video games, and loved the internet, which he used as a tool for evangelization.
His website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world remains live and is now considered a testament to his mission.
Sources:
- Reuters. “EXPLAINER: A brief guide to the Catholic Church’s saint-making process.” April 15, 2025.
- Vatican News. “Pope to make late Italian millennial Carlo Acutis a saint in April.”
- Reuters. “’Influencer of God’ Carlo Acutis set to become first millennial saint.”
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