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Europe|Carlo Acutis, a Saint for the Modern Age
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/world/europe/vatican-carlo-acutis-sainthood.html
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Nicknamed God’s influencer, Carlo, who died at age 15, used technology to express his religious beliefs. The church sees him as a way to connect to the young.
Sept. 5, 2025, 5:02 a.m. ET
On a recent morning, visitors to a sanctuary in Assisi, Italy, overheard whispered prayers in several languages at the tomb of Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006, at the age of 15. On Sunday, he is expected to become the Roman Catholic Church’s first millennial saint.
Born in London and raised in Italy, Carlo had a deep faith, according to those who campaigned for his sainthood, attending Mass regularly and volunteering in Catholic soup kitchens. But he also used his affinity for technology by creating a website listing Eucharistic miracles.
Since his remains were brought in 2019 to the sanctuary, pilgrims from across the world have flocked to pay respect, with the average age falling by a few decades, said the Rev. Domenico Sorrentino, the bishop of Assisi.
Last year, about a million people visited the tomb, Archbishop Sorrentino said, a number that is expected to grow this year.
He was “inspirational,” said Dominic Turco, 15, of Winthrop, Mass., who was visiting the church with his father.
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