A date for the long-awaited canonization of the world’s first Millennial saint has finally been set.
Pope Leo XIV has picked Sept. 7 for the rescheduled canonization of Carlo Acutis, the young man who was known as “God’s Influencer.”
Acutis, a devout British-born Catholic, frequently ministered to the homeless and hungry in Milan — giving everything he had to those with less.
Carlo Acutis will be canonized on Sept. 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV said. ZUMAPRESS.com
Acutis died when he was 15 from leukemia in 2006. AFP via Getty ImagesThe teen, who enjoyed playing video games, created a website to document every reported miracle in his quest “to always be close to Jesus,” according to his official website.
He was hugely popular with young Catholics, even long after his 2006 death at the age of 15 from leukemia. Many of his devotees were willing to pay top dollar for his hair, which they believe had healing powers.
And the Faithful flocked to Acutis’ tomb in Assisi, which featured a glass coffin showing the teen’s body dressed in sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt.
Acutis was beatified in 2020, after his first miracle was confirmed. Candidates for sainthood typically must have two miracles attributed to them.
Leo made the announcement during a meeting of cardinals, known as a consistory, to set the dates for a handful of new saints. Getty Images
His tomb in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site, especially during the 2025 Holy Year. Getty Images
It features a glass coffin in which Acutis can be seen dressed in sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt. AFP via Getty Images
Acutis’ canonization was originally scheduled for April 27, but was postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Getty ImagesIn 2013, a young Brazilian boy with a pancreatic defect was healed after his mother prayed to Acutis, according to Catholic News Agency. The boy, who only weighed 20 pounds and wasn’t given long to live, was able to eat normally after his mother’s prayer.
The second miracle attributed to Acutis came in 2022 when a woman from Costa Rica fell off a bike and wasn’t expected to survive. The woman started breathing on her own again after her mother prayed at the tomb of Acutis and only required a week of physical therapy, against all expectations.
The original April 27 canonization of Acutis had been postponed indefinitely after Pope Francis’ death less than a week earlier. Pope Leo made the announcement Friday during a meeting of cardinals.
Acutis will become the first Catholic saint born between 1981 and 1996 and will be canonized with another Italian, Pier Giorgio Frassati, who also died young at the age of 24 a century ago after contracting polio.
The canonizations will be the first that Pope Leo presides over.
