Faithful gather to see preserved body of Gods influencer Carlo Acutis ahead of teens canonization as first millennial Catholic saint
Faithful Catholics are gathering in droves in an ancient Italian city to view the preserved body of a teenager known as “God’s influencer” — before he is canonized as the first millennial saint next month.Adorers packed the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi to pray and catch a glimpse of the encased body of 15-year-old computer wiz Carlo Acutis this week, the Daily Mail reported.A shop in the medieval town also sold souvenirs and mementos that adorned the young teen’s face, the outlet reported.Acutis, a devout British-born Catholic who created a website to document Eucharistic miracles, died of acute leukemia on Oct.
12, 2006.He was laid to rest inside the Assisi church in April 2019.
After his death, his website and legacy lived on — and in 2020, a miracle attributed to his intercession was approved and recognized by the Vatican. He was beatified, or given the title “Blessed,” in October of that year. A second miracle attributed to Acutis’ intercession was formally approved by the Vatican in May 2024, where he was given the title “saint.” Acutis will become the first canonized Catholic saint born between 1981 and 1996 — leading some to nickname him “God’s influencer.”Canonization is a painstaking, and usually lengthy, four-step process: First, a candidate must be named a Servant of God; secondly, a life of “heroic virtue” must be proved; thirdly, after a verified miracle, the candidate is beatified and referred to as “Blessed.” Finally, after another miracle is confirmed, the candidate is canonized and considered a saint.Acutis is expected to be canonized during the church’s Jubilee of Teenagers between April 25 and April 27. He requested to be buried in Assisi, having become an admirer of St.Francis of Assisi for his dedication to the poor.
The Umbrian town was one of his favorite travel destinations.Acutis’ wax-encased body, clad in a tracksuit and sneakers, has been on d...