Carlo Acutis, a British-born Italian teenager who created websites to promote his Catholic faith, is set to become the Church’s first Saint from the millennial generation later this month, placing him alongside iconic figures like Mother Teresa and St Francis of Assisi, reports RTE.
His mother, Antonia Salzano Acutis, says there is no question he was unique.
Still, she insists that in many respects, he was just like any other teenager.
Acutis, who taught himself multiple computer programming languages and built websites for both his parish and the broader Church, died from leukaemia at age 15 in 2006, reports RTE.
As his fame for faithfulness spread and his canonisation process progressed, his body was transferred to the town of Assisi in central Italy, in accordance with his final wishes.
There, he was buried with a wax replica placed over his remains, dressed in a tracksuit top, jeans, and sneakers, reports RTE.
Since then, people have continued to visit his transparent casket.
Even more are expected to gather in St Peter’s Square on 27 April for his canonisation ceremony, reports RTE.
The Vatican hopes Pope Francis—who is still recovering from a serious case of double pneumonia—will lead the event.
Yet, beyond the pageantry and devotion, his mother said his real appeal lies in the fact that he lived a life many 2000s teenagers could relate to, including feeling out of place at school.
“Carlo was an ordinary child like (others). He used to play, to have friends, and to go to school,” reports RTE.
“But his extraordinary quality was the fact that he opened the door of his heart to Jesus and put Jesus in the first place in his life. He used this skill to spread the good news, the Gospel,” she added, reports RTE.
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“He wanted to help people to have more faith, to understand that there is an afterlife, that we are (pilgrims) in this world,” reports RTE.
She shared that her son made an effort to assist those in need, often asking his parents to give to the less fortunate.
“He was very severe with himself…If I wanted to buy two pairs of shoes, he said, no, one is sufficient,” reports RTE.
Miracles reported after Acutis’ death
Acutis’ legacy grew as the Church recorded miracles believed to have occurred after his passing and credited to his prayers on others’ behalf.
Church officials cite the healing of a young Brazilian boy with a severe pancreatic disorder and a 21-year-old woman from Costa Rica who was near death following a bike crash, reports RTE.
Both of their mothers prayed to Acutis for help, according to the Vatican.
“The world is (showing) great interest for this young man,” said Bishop Domenico Sorrentino, who leads the Assisi diocese.
“I think that’s starting from his smile. When we are really convinced that we are saved (by) Jesus, we must be joyful, must be happy,” Mr Sorrentino said, reports RTE.
“Acutis succeeds in giving…young people this image of the true Christian image,” reports RTE.
Items said to be relics of Acutis—such as bits of his clothing or remains—have recently begun to appear online, with some even being offered for sale on platforms like eBay.
Bishop Sorrentino condemned these actions as “horrible” and said he has requested that the police remove the listings.
In Catholic tradition, such relics are used to aid prayer, but selling them is strictly forbidden by Church law, reports RTE.
In Assisi, many young Catholics said they came to connect with Acutis personally, hoping to draw strength from his story.
“I felt great emotion at seeing a boy younger than me who lived a happy life…despite his sickness,” said Emanuele Iaquaniello, an 18-year-old from Frosinone, southeast of Rome, reports RTE.
“He was surely an example and a symbol of strength for all people, not just teens,” reports RTE.
Lorenzo Dalia, another 18-year-old from Monte San Giovanni Campano, said visiting the tomb of a teenager set to become a saint deeply affected him.
“I was left dumbfounded seeing such great faith at this age,” he said, reports RTE.
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