Young Computer Programmer To Be The New Saint of the Catholic Canon

Assisi, Perugia: Devotees pray and light candles at Carlo Acutis’s heart, inside a reliquary in the Cathedral of San Rufino. March 2, 2025.

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By Maria Izabel Amaro Demenato | Photoreporter

The Catholic Church is about canonize its first ever “millennial” saint, Carlo Acutis, as the church’s patron saint of computer programmers.

Turin student Acutis became famous after his death in 2006, and his popularity has only grown since his canonization process began with Assisi’s Bishop, Domenico Sorrentino, saying that over million people visited his shire in Assisi last year. His popularity is attributed to his relatability as a modern teen.

“I say that Carlo chose me, as a friend,” said Karolyn Santana one of Acutis’ followers. To Acutis’ followers he is already a saint, she said, with or without a mass.

During his adolescence, Acutis was passionate about programing and coded a website to document eucharistic miracles.  At 15 years old, however, Acutis developed acute leukemia and passed away in 2006, 10 days after receiving the diagnosis. Upon his death, Acutis body was transferred to Assisi where he still lies, as he was devout to the medieval St. Francis of Assisi. 

Acutis’ path to sainthood began in 2016 when he was beatified when he performed his first miracle: he cured a young boy of genetic malformation of the pancreas. Years later in 2022, a young Costa Rican woman suffered a traumatic head injury, and her mother prayed over Acutis’s grave and miraculously the woman, who was in serious condition, made a speedy and full recovery, according to her mother.

Santana said she learned about Acutis through a priest, and began to follow his journey to sainthood.

She said she feels connected to the stories of saints and that’s how she developed a relationship to Acutis. ”

“Who doesn’t want to become a saint? Who doesn’t want to become friends with God?” said Santana.

The mass that would’ve canonized Acutis was planned for the Jubilee of Teenagers from April 25 to April 27 but was postponed for later this year due to the passing of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21.