Latest news with #Assisi
The Standard
13-06-2025
- General
- The Standard
Pope Leo to make Carlo Acutis first millennial saint on September 7
FILE PHOTO: Souvenirs of Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 aged 15, are displayed in a shop in Assisi, Italy, April 10, 2025. Pope Francis has cleared the way for Acutis to be the first saint of the millennial generation. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo
New York Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Pope Leo Says He'll Canonize First Millennial Saint in September
Pope Leo XIV said on Friday that Carlo Acutis, a teenage computer aficionado dubbed 'God's influencer,' would be canonized on Sept. 7, making him the Roman Catholic Church's first millennial saint. The sainthood ceremony for Carlo, a London-born Italian who died in 2006 at age 15, was originally scheduled for April 27 but was suspended because of Pope Francis' death six days earlier. Described by those who knew him as exceptionally smart and internet savvy, with typical teenage interests, Carlo also had a deeply spiritual side. He attended church every day, set up a website listing miracles attributed to the eucharist and carried out countless acts of kindness, according to his biographers and the people who championed his cause for sainthood. His brief but exemplary life struck a chord with the faithful, and since his 2020 beatification — the penultimate step toward sainthood — his tomb in Assisi has drawn multitudes of pilgims. Many are teenagers themselves, and the planned April 27 canonization date coincided with the Jubilee of Teenagers, one of dozens of events scheduled during the church's 2025 Holy Year that is attracting millions of pilgrims to the Vatican. Carlo's path to sainthood has been meteoric. Whereas in past centuries it took an average of 262 years between death and canonization, in his case it has taken just 19 years from the time he died of leukemia to global veneration. Since his beatification, chapels and schools have been dedicated him throughout the world. 'It's quite amazing,' said the Rev. Anthony Figueirida, who wrote a book about the teenager, whom he described as 'a sign of goodness' in a world filled with bad news. Domenico Sorrentino, the archbishop of Assisi, who has enthusiastically promoted the cause for sainthood, has described Carlo as 'a boy full for life' and of positive, if unfulfilled, intentions. The archbishop said in an interview in April that the teenager gave hope to younger generations who face 'a future that is not so easy to envisage.' During a meeting with cardinals on Friday morning, Leo also decreed that Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at 24 in Turin a century ago, would be canonized alongside Carlo. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the head of the Vatican's saints department, described Frassati as a 'wonderful model of Christian life.' The ceremony is expected to take place in St. Peter's Square.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pope confirms when millennial saint Carlo Acutis will be canonised
Pope Leo XIV has announced that Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church 's first millennial-era saint, will be canonised on September 7. The announcement was made during a consistory, a meeting of cardinals convened to set the dates for the canonisation of several new saints. Acutis's canonisation was initially planned for April 27 but was postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Acutis died at the age of 15 in 2006 in northern Italy after a brief battle with leukemia. He has gained immense popularity, particularly among young Catholics, who have been visiting his tomb in Assisi in large numbers. Despite enjoying typical pastimes such as hiking, video games, and spending time with friends, Acutis also taught catechism in his local parish and engaged in outreach to the homeless. He used his computer skills to create an online exhibit showcasing over 100 eucharistic miracles recognised by the Church throughout history. His tomb in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site, especially during the 2025 Holy Year underway. It features a glass coffin in which Acutis can be seen dressed in sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt. The outpouring of devotion has surprised even Assisi 's bishop, the Rev. Domenico Sorrentino. He described the scene as a "volcano of grace erupting", noting the stark contrast to the relative obscurity of the Santuario della Spogliazione just two decades prior. What was once a "forgotten" church next to his residence is now a vibrant center of pilgrimage, thanks to the inspiring story of Carlo. Over the last year, more than a million pilgrims paid homage to the teen, Rev. Sorrentino said, drawn by 'his smiling way of living our faith'. In setting the September 7 date, Leo announced that Acutis would be canonised along with another Italian Catholic, Pier Giorgio Frassati, who also died young at age 24 after contracting polio.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
First millennial saint Carlo Acutis will be canonized Sept. 7, the pope says
Statuettes of Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died in 2006 of leukemia, are displayed for sale in a shop in Assisi, Italy, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Friday set Sept. 7 as the rescheduled date to canonize the Catholic Church's first millennial-era saint Carlo Acutis. Leo made the announcement during a meeting of cardinals, known as a consistory, to set the dates for a handful of new saints. Acutis' canonization was originally scheduled for April 27, but was postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Acutis was 15 when he died in northern Italy in 2006, after a short bout with leukemia. He has become enormously popular especially among young Catholics who have been flocking to his tomb in Assisi. While he enjoyed regular pastimes for his age — hiking, video games, and joking around with friends – he also taught catechism in a local parish and did outreach to the homeless. He used his computer skills to create an online exhibit about more than 100 eucharistic miracles recognized by the church over many centuries. His tomb in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site especially during the 2025 Holy Year underway. It features a glass coffin in which Acutis can be seen dressed in sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt, In setting the Sept. 7 date, Leo announced that Acutis would be canonized along with another Italian Catholic, Pier Giorgio Frassati, who also died young at age 24 after contracting polio. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. The Associated Press
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First millennial saint Carlo Acutis will be canonized Sept. 7, the pope says
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Friday set Sept. 7 as the rescheduled date to canonize the Catholic Church's first millennial-era saint Carlo Acutis. Leo made the announcement during a meeting of cardinals, known as a consistory, to set the dates for a handful of new saints. Acutis' canonization was originally scheduled for April 27, but was postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Acutis was 15 when he died in northern Italy in 2006, after a short bout with leukemia. He has become enormously popular especially among young Catholics who have been flocking to his tomb in Assisi. While he enjoyed regular pastimes for his age — hiking, video games, and joking around with friends – he also taught catechism in a local parish and did outreach to the homeless. He used his computer skills to create an online exhibit about more than 100 eucharistic miracles recognized by the church over many centuries. His tomb in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site especially during the 2025 Holy Year underway. It features a glass coffin in which Acutis can be seen dressed in sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt, In setting the Sept. 7 date, Leo announced that Acutis would be canonized along with another Italian Catholic, Pier Giorgio Frassati, who also died young at age 24 after contracting polio. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
