The First Saint of the Digital Age: 'Divine Whiz Kid'
In the peaceful St. Mary Major Church located in a quiet Italian hill town, a group of Polish teenagers quietly pay their respects to a tomb housing a young saint. The saint, dressed in everyday clothes like jeans and sneakers, is Carlo Acutis, a millennial who has earned the title of "Divine Whiz Kid" within the Catholic Church.
Carlo Acutis, who passed away at just 15 years old from leukemia, was canonized in a ceremony held at the Vatican, overseen by Pope Leo XIV and attended by thousands of his followers, marking him as the first saint of the "digital age." Acutis, during his short life, used his skills in coding to create a website that chronicled and promoted eucharistic miracles, a type of miracle specific to the Catholic sacrament of Communion.
A Modern Day Inspiration
The canonization of a contemporary figure has stirred up excitement among Catholics worldwide. Followers from all corners of the globe reach out to Saint Carlo Acutis, often via the internet, to request miracles. His tomb is broadcasted live on the internet 24/7, and the comments section of online prayer videos dedicated to Acutis are filled with messages thanking him for miracles they attribute to his intercession.
The town of Assisi, where Acutis' tomb is located, is also home to the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare. Now, Acutis has become a part of the pilgrimage for many of the nearly one million visitors who visit the town each year. Memorabilia bearing the image of Acutis are sold in shops, and a wooden statue of the saint is even available online for a hefty price tag. The Catholic Church has had to involve law enforcement to prevent the sale of supposed strands of Acutis' hair.
A Rare Occurrence
It can typically take centuries for someone to be recognized as a saint. However, Acutis' canonization happened so swiftly that his parents were able to witness it, an occurrence that is exceedingly rare.
His mother, Antonia Salzano, has worked tirelessly to protect and promote her son's image, making numerous media appearances to ensure that her son's story is told correctly. She vehemently denies claims that Acutis was anything less than devout and insists that he was an instrument of God.
Acutis' Life and Legacy
Carlo Acutis was born in London and then moved with his Italian parents to Milan when he was a young boy. Salzano recalls that there was always "something special" about her son, who spoke his first words at three months old and was fluent by five months. Acutis showed signs of generosity from an early age, trying to give away his new toys and asking his parents to help the poor. He also displayed a keen interest in attending Mass every day from the age of seven and taught himself several coding languages.
Unfortunately, Acutis' life was cut short when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. However, his influence has continued after his death, with the Vatican recognizing two miracles attributed to him. These miracles, a necessary prerequisite for sainthood, include the healing of a Brazilian boy with a severe pancreatic malformation and the sudden recovery of a Costa Rican woman after a near-fatal bicycle accident. Both individuals had prayed to Acutis for help.
Acutis: A Beacon of Hope for the Younger Generation
The canonization of Acutis has come at a time when the Catholic Church is trying to appeal more to Generation Z. His story provides a model of a young man who found joy and purpose in Jesus, which is incredibly significant for the youth of today.
Acutis' tomb, with its modern design, stands out against the ancient stone and remnants of frescoes in the 11th-century church. Visitors from around the world come to pay their respects and thank Acutis for the miracles they attribute to him. Parts of the saint have also been traveling the world as relics, drawing thousands of worshippers wherever they go.
Carlo Acutis, the "Divine Whiz Kid", remains a symbol of hope for people around the world, showing that even in the digital age, faith and compassion still hold powerful sway.