The millennial saint: The canonisation of Carlo Acutis

On Sunday, 7 September 2025, Pope Leo XIV made history as a crowd of 80,000 gathered in St. Peter’s square to celebrate the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, the Church’s first Millennial saint. During the open-air Mass, “God’s influencer” was granted sainthood alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati (a twenty-four-year-old Italian who died in the 1920s). Pope Leo praised the two as ‘’an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives, but to direct them upwards’’.

However, joyous this occasion may be for Catholics, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that these canonisations present certain benefits to the Church’s image. Cynics may call the timing opportune, as the Church expands upon recent surges in youth participation and distances itself from ties to historic abuse scandals. In short, Acutis presents a 21st-century saint for a Church playing catch-up.

The state of the Church

To suggest the Church has not fared well in the modern age would be an understatement. The post-war world has seen the introduction of values into the mainstream that the Church fundamentally opposes, so much so that its views on matters such as contraception, homosexuality, abortion, and divorce now paint it as an institution behind the times.

As a result, in the liberal West Catholicism has been quickly declining in significance. Even more distressing for the Church has been the fallout from the countless sexual abuse scandals linked to clerics around the world and the repeated cover-ups by the clergy. As the shockwaves continue to ring out, it’s understandable that the reputation of the Church as an institution has been tarnished.

It’s more likely that Gen Z is attempting to offset the effects of isolation and alienation caused by social media with the sense of community that the Church provides

Nevertheless, according to the Central Office of Church statistics (as of 2025), Catholicism is technically growing. Remarkably, this is also true in Europe and North America, where liberal ideas and press concerning abuse scandals have been most widespread. Although admittedly, the growth in this area is only marginal compared to the highest rates in Africa and Latin America.

Perhaps most significant, in light of Catholicism’s perceived decline, are the signs of surging popularity among the younger demographic, particularly Gen Z, which has been especially prominent within the UK. There are several suggestions as to the cause of this phenomenon: the work of the late Pope Francis pushed the Church further toward liberalisation, which could be significant, although some would argue his advocacy lacked substance. That said, it’s more likely that Gen Z is attempting to offset the effects of isolation and alienation caused by social media with the sense of community that the Church provides. Therefore, as the Church progresses along its transition into a modern institution, it’s understandable that Rome would want to capitalise upon this. For many, the canonisation of Acutis is key in this regard.

The path to canonisation

The way Acutis’ life has been described is in every way that of a normal teenager. Like anyone, he attended school and enjoyed spending time with his friends. However, he also evidently led the life of a model catholic; he was devout and helped those in need. Most notably, he did this through his webpage, which documented suspected miracles from around the world and earned him the title “God’s influencer”.

He is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual candidates for sainthood

Though Carlo’s life was tragically cut short by leukaemia in 2006, when he was just fifteen, his impact on the Catholic community has been significant. Both his young age and apparent ordinariness have made him appealing to congregations and clergy alike. Moreover, he is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual candidates for sainthood. Further still, his canonisation owes much to his own mother’s advocacy for it since his death.

With this backing behind him, Acutis’ path to sainthood has only taken nineteen years, the miracles attributed to him being verified in 2020 and 2024, respectively. For comparison, it can often take centuries for others, like Frasatti (who took the more traditional route), to be canonised. Therefore, the relative speed at which Acutis has risen to this position has raised questions about the Church itself.

The millennial saint

It’s easy for cynics to sneer at this most recent canonisation, which also happens to be the most important in years. However remarkable Carlo Acutis’ life was, there is no escaping that he provides a fresh face to demonstrate that the Church is leaving behind its unfortunate past. Furthermore, the Church’s pursuit of Acutis’ sainthood could lead to accusations that it is piggybacking off the recent surges in youth attendance.

I’ve long viewed the Catholic Church as quite archaic, but I think, at its core, there are elements that can still be used for social good in a modern age, something Carlo Acutis demonstrated in his life

Even so, I do think there is something inspiring in this story, and I commend the Church for recognising it. Personally, I’ve long viewed the Catholic Church as quite archaic, but I think, at its core, there are elements that can still be used for social good in a modern age, something Carlo Acutis demonstrated in his life.

In this regard, Saint Carlo Acutis marks an important step in the right direction for the Church. With this normal teenager representing the faith, Catholicism can finally find its feet in the 21st Century. Though questions remain about its past, it can now move toward becoming an institution that deserves to belong in the new millennium.