A 15 year old computer genius has been declared the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint by Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, offering today’s generation a relatable example of faith in the digital age.
Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006, was canonized during an open air Mass at St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands gathered, including many young Catholics and families with children.
In the first saint making Mass of his pontificate, Pope Leo also canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati, another beloved Italian who died young and has inspired generations.
During his homily, Leo praised both men for transforming their lives into “masterpieces” by surrendering themselves to God’s plan. “The greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan,” he emphasized. The new saints, he added, “are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives, but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces.”
According to the Vatican, 36 cardinals, 270 bishops, and hundreds of priests joined Pope Leo in the celebration, a testament to the immense admiration both saints hold among Church leaders and everyday faithful alike.
