Pope Leo XIV Proclaims Two New Saints, Encourages Young People to Follow God's Plan

Strategic Insights -

The Vatican marked a significant moment on September 7, as Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, two young laymen from the 20th and 21st centuries. The pope praised their devotion to the Eucharist, prayer, and serving the poor, urging the faithful, especially young people, to follow their examples and live the great "adventure" of following God's plan. In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the greatest risk in life is to waste it by not seeking to follow God's plan, highlighting the simple but winning formula of their holiness that is accessible to everyone at any time.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, two young laymen from the 20th and 21st centuries, praising their devotion to the Eucharist, prayer, and serving the poor.
  • The pope urged the faithful, especially young people, to follow their examples and live the great "adventure" of following God's plan, emphasizing that the greatest risk in life is to waste it by not seeking to follow God's plan.
  • Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati cultivated their love for God and for their brothers and sisters through simple acts, available to everyone: daily Mass, prayer, and Eucharistic adoration.
  • The two new saints, despite their young lives being cut short by illness, continued to love, offer themselves to God, bless him, and pray to him for themselves and for everyone.
  • The canonization Mass was attended by dignitaries, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and family members and people closely associated with the new saints.
  • Pope Leo XIV called for people's "incessant prayer for peace, especially in the Holy Land, and in Ukraine and in every other land bloodied by war," and urged governing leaders to listen to the voice of conscience.

Statistics:

  • Carlo Acutis was born May 3, 1991, in London and died in Monza, Italy, October 12, 2006, of leukemia at the age of 15.
  • Pier Giorgio Frassati was born April 6, 1901, in Turin and died there July 4, 1925, of polio at the age of 24.
  • More than 80,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the solemn ceremony, with many young people in attendance.

Sources:

  • United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
  • Catholic News Service (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
  • Vatican Media