Carlo Acutis, set to become the first Catholic saint from the millennial generation, will be canonised on 7 September, according to an announcement from Pope Leo, reports RTE.
Carlo, who was born in the UK and later lived in Italy, passed away from leukaemia in 2006 at age 15. His canonisation was initially scheduled for 27 April but was postponed due to the passing of Pope Francis.
Pope Leo revealed the rescheduled date today during a gathering with cardinals to review sainthood candidates, reports RTE.
While the pope did not disclose the exact location of the event, canonisation ceremonies typically take place in St Peter’s Square.
Carlo’s elevation to sainthood has generated strong interest among young Catholics, with large crowds expected to travel to Rome for the occasion.
Known as “God’s influencer,” Acutis taught himself computer programming languages before his death and used his skills to create websites promoting his religious beliefs, reports RTE.
His mother, Antonia Salzano, shared with Reuters in April that what made Carlo relatable was that he led a life similar to many other teenagers in the early 2000s.
“Carlo was an ordinary child like (others),” she said, reports RTE.
“He used to play, to have friends, and to go to school. But his extraordinary quality was the fact that he opened the door of his heart to Jesus and put Jesus in first place in his life,” reports RTE.
Canonisation signifies that the Catholic Church believes the person is now in Heaven, in the presence of God.
The process of sainthood is handled by a Vatican body responsible for verifying that the candidate lived a virtuous life, and generally involves authenticating two miracles credited to the individual’s intercession, reports RTE.
Carlos has been associated with two miraculous healings: one involving a four-year-old Brazilian boy born with a severe pancreatic condition, and another involving a 21-year-old woman from Costa Rica who was critically injured in a bike crash.
In both cases, the families prayed to Carlos, according to Church officials, reports RTE.
At the 7 September canonisation, Pope Leo will also officially declare Pier Giorgio Frassati a saint. Frassati, an Italian youth remembered for his charitable work, died of polio in the 1920s, reports RTE.
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