Carlo Acutis and the 4 popes who marked his journey to the altars
Saint Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, had his journey marked by four popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV, who canonized him in 2025.
TL;DR
- Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, died on October 12, 2006, and will have his 20th death anniversary in 2026.
- His journey to sainthood was marked by four popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV.
- He was born in 1991 during the pontificate of John Paul II and his faith was nurtured by his Polish nanny.
- Acutis traveled to Rome in 2000 to witness Pope John Paul II entrust the new millennium to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006 and offered his suffering for Pope Benedict XVI before his death.
- Pope Francis recognized Acutis' heroic virtue and the miracles attributed to him, frequently citing him as a model for youth in the digital age.
- Pope Francis was scheduled to preside over Acutis' canonization in 2025, but with Francis' death, the canonization was delayed.
- Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati on September 7, 2025, hailing them as models for youth seeking holiness.