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Saint Carlo Acutis

A Milan teenager with a passion for computing, who died of leukaemia in 2006

Rank
Saint
Kind
Layperson, Young saint
Life
1991 – 2006
Era
21st century
Feast
12 October
Countries
United Kingdom, Italy
ItalyUnited Kingdom

Life story

Carlo Acutis was born on 3 May 1991 in London, England, where his Italian parents were working. The family returned to Milan a few months after his birth. He made his first Communion at seven and from then on went to church regularly, attending daily Mass according to his family.

He attended a Jesuit school in Milan and was enthusiastic about computers. He taught himself programming, built websites for his parish and school, and in particular put together an online exhibition on Eucharistic miracles around the world, gathering documentation to present to others. He also regularly helped friends and homeless people in Milan.

In October 2006 he was diagnosed with a severe acute leukaemia and admitted to the San Gerardo hospital in Monza. He died there on 12 October 2006, aged fifteen, only a few days after the illness appeared. He was buried in the cemetery at Assisi, as he had wished.

Pope Francis recognised a miracle attributed to his intercession, and Carlo was beatified on 10 October 2020 at Assisi. On 7 September 2025 Pope Leo XIV canonised him in Rome, on the same day as Pier Giorgio Frassati; he is among the youngest saints of modern times. His online exhibition was later shown in many parishes and countries and translated into numerous languages. His tomb in the Sanctuary of the Spoliation at Assisi attracts a steady flow of visitors, and his body, dressed in jeans and trainers, is displayed there in a glass case.

Works and witness

  • Attended a Jesuit school in Milan and taught himself programming
  • Created an online exhibition on Eucharistic miracles
  • Helped friends and homeless people in Milan
  • Died of leukaemia on 12 October 2006; canonised on 7 September 2025

Saints from the same country

Saint Thomas Becket, Saint Thomas More, Saint Bede the Venerable, Saint Boniface

References

  • Martyrologium Romanum
  • Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
  • Decree on the miracle attributed to Carlo Acutis (Holy See, 2020)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.