At a time when the internet, social media and new technologies play a central role in our daily lives, a young Italian man has shown that it is possible to live out one’s Christian faith to the full whilst remaining true to the spirit of the times. His name: Saint Carlo Acutis.
Carlo Acutis, who died at the age of just 15, left behind an extraordinary spiritual legacy. Passionate about computing, deeply devoted to the Eucharist and filled with an immense love for the Virgin Mary, he has become a model of holiness not only for younger generations, but also for all Christians who wish to deepen their relationship with God.
Canonised on 7 September 2025 by Pope Leo XIV, Saint Carlo Acutis is today one of the most inspiring figures of contemporary holiness.
Every 12 October, the Catholic Church celebrates his feast day, a special opportunity to discover his story, his spirituality and the teachings he has passed on to us.
1. Who was Saint Carlo Acutis?
An ordinary childhood, an extraordinary faith
Carlo Acutis was born on 3 May 1991 in London, United Kingdom, to Italian parents. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Milan, Italy, where he grew up in a loving family environment.
From a very young age, Carlo showed remarkable religious sensitivity. He felt a particular affection for Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and would go into churches to pray whenever he had the chance.
Yet Carlo was not a child cut off from the world. Like many young people his age, he loved video games, football, animals, travelling and spending time with his friends.
He also possessed an exceptional talent for computing. He learnt to programme, create websites and use digital tools with astonishing ease.
But what sets Carlo Acutis apart is his deep conviction that holiness is not reserved for priests, religious or the great figures of the past. It is accessible to everyone, in the simplicity of everyday life.
He summed up this conviction in a phrase that has become famous:
‘Everyone is born an original, but many die as photocopies.’
For Carlo, every human being has a unique vocation. We must not seek to imitate the world, but discover the personal path that God invites us to follow.
2. The Eucharist: the heart of Carlo Acutis’s spirituality
“The Eucharist is my motorway to Heaven”
This famous saying by Carlo Acutis sums up his entire spiritual life.
From the moment of his First Communion, received at the age of seven, Carlo developed a deep love for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
He made a habit of attending Mass daily and devoting time to Eucharistic adoration.
For him, the Eucharist was not merely a religious rite or a family tradition. It was a living encounter with Jesus Christ.
Carlo understood that Holy Communion enables Christians to nourish their souls, to grow in love and to draw progressively closer to God.
He encouraged those close to him to rediscover the beauty of Mass and never to regard the Eucharistic presence as something ordinary.
Why did Carlo Acutis attach such importance to the Eucharist?
Carlo was convinced that holiness is built through a personal, daily relationship with Jesus.
In his view, receiving the Eucharist regularly helps to transform one’s heart, to develop charity and to find the strength to resist temptations.
He also used to say:
‘The more we receive the Eucharist, the more we will become like Jesus.’
This conviction explains why the Eucharist occupies such a central place in his witness.
Through his example, Saint Carlo Acutis reminds us that the Christian faith consists not only in believing in God, but in living each day in communion with Him.
3. Carlo Acutis and the Eucharistic miracles: a mission on the Internet
A young computer enthusiast in the service of the Gospel
Carlo Acutis realised, long before many adults, that new technologies could become powerful tools for evangelisation.
As the internet was developing rapidly, he decided to put his IT skills at the service of his faith.
He undertook a considerable amount of research and documentation on Eucharistic miracles that had occurred in various countries around the world.
His aim was simple: to raise awareness of the extraordinary signs associated with the Eucharist and to encourage Christians to rediscover the Real Presence of Christ.
With the help of his family, he created a digital exhibition dedicated to Eucharistic miracles recognised and documented within the Catholic tradition.
This exhibition, which gained international recognition, was subsequently presented in numerous parishes, schools, shrines and religious communities.
The best-known Eucharistic miracles
Among the events featured in Carlo Acutis’s work are, in particular:
The Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano, in Italy, traditionally dated to the 8th century.
The miracle of Bolsena, in 1263, associated with the history of the feast of Corpus Christi.
The Eucharistic events in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the end of the 20th century.
The Eucharistic miracle of Santarém, Portugal, whose tradition dates back to the 13th century.
These events hold a special place in Catholic piety. They are regarded by the faithful as signs inviting them to delve deeper into the mystery of the Eucharist.
Carlo did not seek to draw attention to himself. He simply wanted to enable everyone to get to know Jesus better.
His work demonstrates that the internet can be used for more than just entertainment: it can become a space for sharing, learning and encountering the faith.
4. The Virgin Mary, an essential presence in his life
Saint Carlo Acutis harboured a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
He regarded Mary as a loving mother, always present to guide people towards her Son.
Every day, he recited the Rosary, convinced that this prayer was a valuable aid to growing in holiness.
For Carlo, the Rosary was not merely a repetition of prayers. It was a genuine dialogue with the Virgin Mary, a way of meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life and of entrusting to God his joys, his difficulties and his intentions.
The Rosary: a spiritual weapon
Carlo encouraged Christians to recite the Rosary regularly.
He saw this prayer as a protection against evil and a means of remaining faithful to the Gospel.
His devotion to Mary was a natural part of his Eucharistic spirituality: Mary always leads us to Jesus.
This union between love for the Eucharist and the prayer of the Rosary remains one of the most important teachings of Saint Carlo Acutis.
5. Practical charity towards the poor and those in isolation
Carlo Acutis’s holiness was not limited to prayer.
Despite his young age, he showed great concern for people in difficulty.
He took the time to talk to homeless people, to bring them food and to show them kindness.
He also cared for his classmates, particularly those who were rejected, mocked or isolated.
Carlo could not bear injustice and sought to defend the most vulnerable.
His faith was expressed through simple yet profoundly evangelical acts.
He understood that loving Jesus also meant loving one’s neighbour.
This aspect of his life reminds us of Christ’s words in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew:
‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ’ (Matthew 25:40)
Saint Carlo Acutis thus teaches us that true holiness is measured not only by the time devoted to prayer, but also by the love we show to others.
6. Carlo Acutis’s illness and death at the age of just 15
A devastating form of leukaemia
In October 2006, Carlo Acutis fell seriously ill.
Doctors diagnosed him with a particularly aggressive form of acute leukaemia.
Within a few days, his health deteriorated rapidly.
Faced with suffering and the prospect of death, Carlo showed impressive faith and courage.
According to accounts given by his family, he offered up his suffering for the Pope and for the Church.
He accepted his illness with a serenity that deeply moved those around him.
On 12 October 2006, Carlo Acutis died in Monza, Italy, at the age of 15.
His death caused deep sorrow amongst his loved ones, his classmates and all those who had known him.
But his story did not end with his death.
On the contrary, his example gradually began to touch thousands, then millions of people across the world.
7. Why is Carlo Acutis buried in Assisi?
Carlo Acutis had great admiration for Saint Francis of Assisi.
He was particularly drawn to his simplicity, his love of poverty and his devotion to Christ.
Carlo wished to be buried in Assisi, the city emblematic of Franciscan spirituality.
His remains now rest in the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, within the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi.
This place has become an important pilgrimage destination.
The faithful from all over the world visit it to pray, seek his intercession and learn about the witness of this young saint.
Is Carlo Acutis’s body incorrupt?
There is often some confusion on this subject.
Although Carlo Acutis’s body is displayed for the veneration of the faithful, the Church has not officially declared his remains to be incorrupt.
Its display in a glass-fronted tomb should therefore not be confused with a recognition of incorruptibility.
What attracts pilgrims to Assisi above all else is his example of faith, his simplicity and his love for Christ.
8. From the beatification to the canonisation of Carlo Acutis
A first miracle recognised in Brazil
The process of beatification of Carlo Acutis was marked by the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession.
It concerns the healing of a young Brazilian boy suffering from a severe malformation of the pancreas.
After examining the case, the Catholic Church recognised this healing as miraculous.
Carlo Acutis was thus beatified on 10 October 2020 in Assisi.
A second miracle recognised in Costa Rica
Another miracle attributed to the intercession of Carlo Acutis concerns a young woman from Costa Rica who was the victim of a serious cycling accident in Florence, Italy.
Whilst her condition was extremely serious, her mother travelled to Assisi to pray at Carlo’s grave.
The young woman subsequently experienced a recovery deemed inexplicable following a review of the case.
This second miracle paved the way for his canonisation.
The canonisation on 7 September 2025
On 7 September 2025, Pope Leo XIV canonised Carlo Acutis in St Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati.
This historic celebration confirmed Carlo’s place amongst the saints of the Catholic Church.
He is now invoked as Saint Carlo Acutis, a model of faith for young people, families and those who wish to use new technologies for the common good.
9. Why is Saint Carlo Acutis a role model for young people today?
Carlo Acutis’s story has a particular power because it is so relevant to our times.
He wore ordinary clothes, used a computer, played with his friends and understood the concerns of teenagers.
He did not live in a monastery, nor in a distant era.
He grew up in a modern society, facing the same distractions and challenges that we face today.
Yet he chose to place God at the centre of his life.
His example teaches us several essential lessons.
Being a saint does not mean being perfect
Carlo had his own tastes, passions and character.
Holiness does not mean giving up one’s personality, but orienting one’s life towards God.
Using technology with discernment
Carlo did not reject the internet. He understood its potential and also knew that one must avoid becoming a slave to it.
He invites us to use digital tools to learn, share, help and pass on what is good.
Living out one’s faith without fear of what others might think
Carlo embraced his Christian identity quite naturally.
He was not ashamed to pray, attend Mass or speak about Jesus.
Understanding that life is precious
His death at the age of 15 reminds us that the length of a life does not determine its value.
Even a very short life can bear immense spiritual fruit when lived in love.
10. How can we celebrate the feast of Saint Carlo Acutis on 12 October?
The feast of Saint Carlo Acutis is celebrated every year on 12 October, the anniversary of his entry into eternal life.
This day can be seen as an invitation to renew our faith and to follow his example.
The faithful may, in particular, attend Mass, spend some time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, recite the Rosary, read a passage from the Gospel or perform an act of charity.
Families can also use this feast day as an opportunity to talk to their children about holiness.
The story of Carlo Acutis is particularly suited to young people, as it shows that faith can be a natural part of their daily lives.
Finally, this feast day offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our own use of the internet and social media.
Can our words, our posts and our digital interactions help to spread more goodness, truth and hope?
This is one of the great questions that Saint Carlo Acutis leaves us with.
11. Prayer to Saint Carlo Acutis
Lord Jesus Christ,
You who set Saint Carlo Acutis’s heart ablaze with a fervent love for your presence in the Eucharist, teach us to seek you every day with the same trust and simplicity.
Saint Carlo Acutis, you who devoted your youth to loving Jesus and making his presence known to the world, intercede for us with the Lord.
Help us to place God at the centre of our lives, never to be ashamed of our faith, and to remain faithful to the Gospel despite the difficulties of our times.
You who loved the Blessed Virgin Mary so dearly, teach us to pray the Rosary with fervour and to entrust our lives to her maternal protection.
Protect children and young people. Guide them in their choices, keep them away from bad influences, and help them to discover the beauty of a life turned towards God.
Watch over families, the sick, those who suffer in solitude, and all those who are going through trials.
Teach us to use new technologies wisely, so that they may become instruments of peace, truth and brotherhood.
Saint Carlo, you who recognised Jesus in the Eucharist and in the faces of the poorest, open our hearts to charity.
Help us to understand that holiness is built day by day, through small acts of love, through prayer and through faithfulness to our vocation.
May your example encourage us to live our faith to the full, with joy, humility and hope.
Saint Carlo Acutis, pray for us.
Amen.
12. Saint Carlo Acutis: a message of hope for our times
Twenty years after his death, Saint Carlo Acutis continues to touch the hearts of many believers.
His witness reminds us that holiness is not confined to past centuries. It can arise in an ordinary family, in a classroom, in front of a computer or amidst the busyness of daily life.
Carlo did not accomplish any great material deeds. He did not found a religious congregation, nor did he travel the world as a missionary.
But he knew how to make his short life a shining witness to God’s love.
His secret was simple: to love Jesus in the Eucharist, to pray to the Virgin Mary, to help his neighbour and to live each day as a precious gift.
On this feast day, 12 October, let us ask Saint Carlo Acutis to help us rediscover the joy of believing and the courage to bear witness to our faith.
Saint Carlo Acutis, you who made your life a path to Heaven, pray for us and for all future generations.
