A London-born boy, Carlo Acutis, is poised to become the first millennial saint in a significant ceremony led by Pope Leo this Sunday. Acutis, who lived a remarkably short life, utilized technology to document miracles, earning the affectionate title of God's influencer. His canonization was initially scheduled for late April but was postponed following the passing of Pope Francis.
Since the announcement of Carlo Acutis’ canonization, over a million pilgrims have flocked to Assisi, the Italian hilltop town where his body rests in a wax-preserved state. This pilgrimage site has become a focal point for those wishing to pay their respects to the young boy whose remarkable story resonates with many. Additionally, another significant pilgrimage site associated with Carlo has gained attention: Our Lady of Dolours Church in Chelsea, London.
It was here, at Our Lady of Dolours Church, that Carlo was baptized in 1991. The church features a font at the back where this sacred event took place. To honor his memory, an old confession booth has been transformed into a shrine containing a relic holder with a single strand of Carlo's hair. Father Paul Addison, a friar at the church, shares insights about Carlo’s family, stating, “His family were in finance and were temporarily living in London. Although they didn't frequent the church often, they sought to have their child baptized.” He adds that Carlo was a “very big flash” in the parish community's life.
When Carlo was just six months old, his family returned to their home country, Italy, where he spent the remainder of his life in Milan. Known for his passion for technology, Carlo was also fond of video games. While some who knew him might not have considered him particularly devout, his teenage years saw him create a website documenting miracles, with pages of this work now displayed at the Chelsea church.
Sadly, Carlo Acutis succumbed to leukaemia at the tender age of 15. In the years following his death, his mother, Antonia Salzano, traveled to churches worldwide advocating for his sainthood. A critical aspect of this process involved demonstrating that Carlo had performed miracles. “The first miracle occurred on the day of his funeral,” Antonia recalls. “A woman with breast cancer prayed for Carlo, and remarkably, her cancer disappeared completely after starting chemotherapy.”
Pope Francis recognized two miracles attributed to Carlo Acutis, thereby allowing the canonization process to advance. Originally set for April 27, the event was postponed due to the untimely death of Pope Francis. Pilgrims who had traveled to Rome for the canonization found themselves amidst the emotional outpouring of the late pontiff's funeral, with young Catholics like Diego Sarkissian from London feeling a profound connection to Carlo.
Diego, who fondly recalls playing Super Mario video games on vintage Nintendo consoles, expressed his excitement about Carlo’s canonization. “The idea that a saint could enjoy the same activities as us, wearing jeans, makes him feel incredibly relatable compared to past saints,” he remarked. The approval process for canonization typically spans decades or even centuries; however, there is a growing sentiment that the Vatican has expedited Carlo Acutis’ recognition to invigorate and inspire faith among younger generations.
As the Catholic Church prepares for the ceremony on Sunday, it hopes that the canonization of Carlo Acutis will resonate with the youth of today, serving as a reminder of how faith and modern life can intertwine.
