After the postponement of Carlo Acutis’ canonization in April, Pope Leo XIV officially declared Carlo Acutis a saint on Sept. 7, making him the first millennial saint. 

According to APNews, on the morning of Sept. 7, an open air mass took place in St. Peter’s Square in front of an estimated number of 80 thousand people. Many were millennials and couples with young children. 

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV stated, “The greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan.”

Before this day, however, the Vatican stated that there were 36 cardinals, 270 bishops, and hundreds of priests who wanted to celebrate this special mass alongside Pope Leo XIV.

This support and showing of thousands of people is a result of what Carlo Acutis did in his lifetime. 

Acutis was born on May 3, 1991 and died on October 12, 2006. During his lifetime, he studied computer science and indulged himself in the knowledge of college-level books on programming even as a young man.

He documented eucharist miracles on web pages that are still used for religious instruction in parishes around the world, which is what he is widely known for today. 

Daniel Reyes ’26, a dedicated Catholic, said, “God gave Acutis wisdom and knowledge not only for his own growth and learning, but also so he could share God’s message with others.”

However, in October of 2006, he was diagnosed with acute leukemia, and within days, he died.

Upon his request, he was entombed in Assisi as he wanted to be buried at the site of St. Francis of Assisi.

An early sign of respect for Acutis could be seen at his burial site. Millions of young catholics have visited him where he is dressed in ordinary, everyday clothes such as jeans, Nike sneakers, and a sweatshirt. 

Donatella Cirelli ’28, a leading member of Campus Ministry, said, “He’s someone the younger generation can relate to because he was of the younger generation.”

He has been considered for sainthood since 2013 and was going to be declared in April. However, because of Pope Francis’ death, Acutis’ canonization was postponed.

In spite of the postponement, Pope Leo pushed for Acutis’ sainthood journey, believing that the church needed someone like him to attract young catholics to the faith while still addressing the digital age. 

Carlo Acutis’s work and canonization will be a sainthood journey that will continue to resonate with young people around the world.