Why is Carlo Acutis nicknamed ‘God’s Influencer’? Backstory discussed as Pope announced him as first millennial Saint to be canonized

Carlo Acutis has been announced as the first-ever millennial saint to be canonized. The young British man of Italian descent has his canonization scheduled for September 7, 2025; the new date was announced by the newly elected spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.

Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, and died on October 12, 2006, from acute promyelocytic leukemia at the young age of fifteen. He is popularly referred to as God’s Influencer; this is due to his innovative use of technological skills to promote the gospel and Catholic faith, most especially the Eucharist. He used his passion for technology to create a digital exhibition on Eucharistic Miracles, ensuring that his profound faith was shared around the world.

More details on Carlo Acutis, God’s Influencer

Carlo Acutis was an active worker in his parish. According to reports, Carlo had been actively engaged in the things of God from the young age of three. He was baptized fifteen days after his birth and received his first communion when he was seven. By the time Carlo was twelve years old, he had already been confirmed and made a catechist. In a statement, Carlo’s Parish Priest describes him as

“A young man who was exceptionally transparent. He really wanted to progress in loving his parents, God, his classmates, and those who loved him less. He wanted to apply himself in his studies to educate himself in his catechism class as well as in school and computer science.”

In addition to being an active worshipper in church, Carlo Acutis was also known for being tech-savvy. According to reports, Carlo was considered a “computer geek” by those around him. His proficiency in computers and the internet often made him a source of help to people with technical issues. Carlo was skilled in C++ and Java, and at the age of fourteen, he was already creating websites for his parish, Santa Maria Segreta in Milan, and his high school.

Acutis created a website for volunteering, which won him an award at a national competition called Sarai Volontario. However, Carlo's most notable technological work, which earned him the nickname of God's Influencer, was a website he launched in 2004.

The website now called “The Eucharistic Miracles Website” by many is dedicated to cataloguing several reported Eucharistic Miracles from all over the world. The website, which details over 150 well-researched miracles sorted by country and date, has been translated into nearly 20 different languages.

Carlo worked on the website together with his family for two and a half years before its official launch on October 4, 2006, at the Feast of St. Francis.

Read more: Who is Pier Giorgio Frassati? Details explored as Pope Leo XIV to canonize him alongside Carlo Acutis

Unfortunately, Carlo wasn't able to attend the debut of the exhibition, which was held at Rome's Church of San Carlo Borromeo, due to his hospitalization. Carlo passed away a few days later.

Read more: Who is Carlo Acutis? Details explored as the Pope announces first millennial saint to be canonized

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