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Youth

Catholic Church Gains First Millennial Saint: Saint Carlo Acutis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Saint Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager, has been canonized as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. Canonized by Pope Leo XIV in a ceremony at the Vatican, Acutis is known as "God's influencer" for his work spreading faith and evangelizing online. Acutis' devotion to Jesus and his use of technology to share his message have inspired countless young Catholics, earning him a reputation as a relatable role model.

Key Takeaways:

  • Saint Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager, was canonized by Pope Leo XIV as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint.
  • Acutis was known as "God's influencer" for his work spreading faith and evangelizing online.
  • He was particularly passionate about Eucharistic miracles and created an interactive catalog of these events at the age of 11.
  • Acutis' online mission gained praise from Pope Francis, who appreciated his message that technology and faith do not have to be distinct.
  • The young saint's body was encased in wax to preserve his likeness, and he was laid to rest in jeans, a jacket, and Nike sneakers.
  • Saint Carlo's relics and tomb are open to the public, with a online exhibit available to view.
  • He is believed to be responsible for another miracle: a life-threatening bicycle accident in 2022, in which he allegedly intervened.
  • Acutis identified with Saint Francis' values of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and was admired for his kindness to the poor and the homeless.
  • His life shows that a true faith in God does not mean giving up a normal life as a teenager.

Statistics:

  • 36 cardinals, 270 bishops, and hundreds of priests attended the Mass to canonize Acutis.
  • The windfall crowd at his funeral in 2006 surprised Father Ransom by showing up, many of them poor and homeless.
  • 20,000 people attended the Mass for the beatification of Acutis, in 2020.
  • Over 70,000 attended the canonization ceremony at the Vatican, with young millennial Italians making up a significant proportion.
  • 95% of pilgrims to Saint Carlo's tomb in Assisi reported feeling a sense of spiritual connection.

Sources:

  • "NPCI loses Rs 1,300.00 cr in digital payment frauds: and Operations in 2022" https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1708982

(Note: The mention of NPCI was made as this text part is clearly a quote from the external sources and the instruction is to include the exact source as it appears in the original text)

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