On September 7, 2025, on the occasion of the solemn canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the two young saints as a blessing and a beautiful celebration for the entire Church and the whole world. Addressing in particular the young people and children who had gathered for the event, the Holy Father expressed palpable joy: “Brothers and sisters, today is a beautiful celebration for all of Italy, for the entire Church, for the whole world! And I especially wanted to greet the many young people and children who have come for this Holy Mass! Truly a blessing from the Lord: to find ourselves together with all of you who have come from different countries. It is truly a gift of faith that we wish to share.” Holiness within everyone’s reach The story of Carlo Acutis, this young layman born in London in 1991, is a moving and timely reminder—a “saint in tennis shoes” who teaches new generations to find happiness and salvation in a hectic world. Carlo is the shining example that holiness is not an unattainable goal, but a path open to everyone, traveled through the simplest means: daily Mass and charity. His life, together with that of figures such as Pier Giorgio Frassati, testifies that it is possible to cultivate love for God and for our brothers and sisters through simple means accessible to all. The Eucharist: our way out of sadness The beating heart of Carlo’s short but intense life was his daily encounter with the Lord in the Eucharist. For him, the real presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated Host was a certainty, the guarantee that man is never abandoned, not even in the most difficult trials. His words ring out as an anthem to hope and joy: “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven!”This Saint teaches us that true conversion does not require superhuman effort, but simply a “movement of the eyes”: «Sadness is looking toward oneself, happiness is looking toward God. Conversion is nothing more than shifting one’s gaze from below to Above; a simple movement of the eyes is enough». Carlo invites us to seek the happiness that never disappoints and is found only in Christ. In love with Jesus, he attended Mass every day with the permission of his spiritual director, ever since receiving his First Communion early, in 1998. He was convinced that «In front of the sun, you get a tan. In front of the Eucharist, you become saints!». Digital genius at the service of the Gospel Carlo was able to demonstrate that faith and technology can dance together, turning technological progress into a true apostolic tool. Using his exceptional computer skills and his complete willingness to help anyone in need, he not only took care of the parish website in Milan, but also designed and created an international exhibition on Eucharistic Miracles. This extensive photographic exhibition, documenting approximately 136 miracles recognized by the Church, is the tangible legacy of his zeal, a digital masterpiece born from the desire to explain the Eucharistic mystery to all his peers. Carlo left a very timely message for new generations: it is possible to be an authentic witness to Christ in every setting, including those typical of an adolescent, such as the family, school, sports, travel, and games. The beauty of the soul and hidden charity Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Anthony of Padua, Carlo made charity the foundation of his Christian identity. He devoted himself to the poorest, those in need, the homeless, and immigrants, also helping them with money saved from his weekly allowance. This generosity was expressed through small, concrete gestures, often hidden, living out what Pope Francis called the holiness “next door”.But his deepest teaching concerns the soul. Carlo was astonished by the world’s distraction: «People worry so much about the beauty of their bodies and do not worry about the beauty of their souls». For him, the only true fear had to be sin: «The only thing we truly need to fear is sin». His life was directed toward the Absolute, and his devotion to the Virgin Mary – expressed through the daily recitation of the Rosary (LINK cod. 8011; 8997) – strengthened his desire to project his existence into the reality of eternal life. An indelible legacy When, in October 2006, he was struck by M3 leukemia, the most aggressive form, Carlo demonstrated the complete consistency of his faith. A few days before being hospitalized, he offered his life «to the Lord for the Pope, for the Church, to go to Paradise». Doctors and nurses were edified by his acceptance of illness and suffering. Even illness and death did not prevent him from loving and offering himself to God. His canonization is a powerful encouragement for the Church. As the Holy Father recalled in his homily: «Dearest brothers and sisters, Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation addressed to all of us, especially young people, not to waste our lives, but to direct them upward and make them a masterpiece». Carlo Acutis left us an indelible legacy: an invitation not to limit our gaze to the earthly horizon, but to live the Gospel intensely, finding in the Eucharist the salvation that never disappoints.
