Pilgrims have traveled to the town of Assisi, Italy, to see the preserved body of Carlo Acutis, a British-born teenager who is set to be canonized as a saint next month.
Acutis, who passed away at 15 from leukemia in 2006, will be the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church. He has been credited with miracles since his death.
He was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020, and last year, the Pope approved his canonization, which will take place on April 27, 2025. Following his wishes, Acutis was buried in Assisi and laid to rest in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in 2019.
His body is preserved with a wax layer that gives it the appearance of how he looked before burial, allowing visitors to see him in his tomb.
Since his passing, Acutis has gained a large following worldwide. Many refer to him as “God’s influencer” because of his strong faith and interest in technology.
In Assisi, visitors have been able to buy souvenirs related to him. His canonization will be part of the Church’s Jubilee of Teenagers, a special event scheduled between April 25 and April 27 this year.
His sainthood was confirmed after a second miracle was attributed to him in May 2024. The process of becoming a saint usually requires a five-year waiting period, giving time for reflection.
The process begins when a bishop investigates whether the person lived a holy life. If approved, the case is sent to the Pope, who determines if the person demonstrated “heroic virtue.”
Before his death, Acutis created a website called The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, where he researched and shared information about different miracles.
His mother described him as a “computer genius” and said he lived like many teenagers today—he played video games, used the internet, and enjoyed football.
He was also known for helping the homeless and supporting classmates in need.
Acutis was declared venerable in 2018, one of the key steps toward sainthood.
He will be only the second Briton to be canonized in nearly 50 years, following Cardinal John Henry Newman in 2019.
