Carlo Acutis, a devout teenager known for his charitable acts and technological talent, will officially become the first Millennial saint following an announcement by Pope Leo XIV. Originally set for canonization in April by Pope Francis, the ceremony was delayed due to the late pope’s death on April 21. Pope Leo XIV, elected in May, approved Acutis’ sainthood along with seven others during his first public consistory. Born in London and raised in Milan, Acutis was committed to his Catholic faith from a young age. He received communion at seven, gave to the poor, and was known for preparing meals for the homeless. His online evangelism earned him the nickname “God’s influencer.”

Acutis died of leukemia at 15 in 2006. Since then, he has been credited with two miracles: the healing of a Brazilian toddler with a rare condition, and the sudden recovery of a Costa Rican woman from a brain hemorrhage. Both healings occurred after prayers and rituals connected to Acutis’ preserved remains, which have been kept at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Italy. The Vatican verified both miracles as unexplainable medical recoveries, essential for sainthood. After nearly two decades of investigation and reverence, Acutis will be canonized on September 7 alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati, another young Catholic who died from polio while aiding the sick. Acutis’ story highlights a modern path to sainthood, blending digital outreach and traditional devotion, marking a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church.