Meet Catholic web designer Saint Carlo Acutis and why he died

24 May 2024 , 16:01
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Plus if you can visit Carlo Acutis
Plus if you can visit Carlo Acutis' tomb

A teenager originally from London has been named as a saint by Pope Francis.

The 15-year-old managed to perform miracles after he died 2006 and has now left a legacy in his path.

You can visit Carlo Acutis' tomb in Italy qhiqqxihuiehprw
You can visit Carlo Acutis' tomb in ItalyCredit: AP

Who was Carlo Acutis?

Carlo Acutis was born in London in 1991 before he moved to Milan with his Italian parents as a child.

He passed away in 2006 and has now become the first millennial saint.

Carlo Acutis was Catholic and would ask to visit churches he passed in Milan from the age of three, according to his parents.

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His mother Antonia Salzano said he would donate his pocket money to poor people and take meals and sleeping bags to rough sleepers.

She also said he would offer to support classmates whose parents were going through divorces.

His mum described him as a normal teenager who liked playing video games, but also had “a special spiritual life and gifts on the internet.”

What did Carlo Acutis do for a living?

Carlo Acutis was of school age when he passed away.

Despite being so young, Saint Acutis was also a web designer.

His main hobby was designing websites for his parish and school but he also became known for launching a website seeking to document every reported Eucharistic miracle.

His website has now been translated into several different languages.

What was Carlo Acutis cause of death?

Carlo Acutis passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 after being diagnosed with Leukemia.

When he contracted leukaemia at age 15, his faith helped him to see his suffering differently.

Brenden Thompson, the CEO of Catholic Voices

Leukemia is a group of blood cancers that affect the body's blood cells, mainly the white blood cells

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At his funeral, the church was reportedly so busy that many people had to wait outside.

Brenden Thompson, the CEO of Catholic Voices said: "When he contracted leukaemia at age 15, his faith helped him to see his suffering differently."

Carlo Acutis passed away in 2006
Carlo Acutis passed away in 2006Credit: AP

Why is Carlo Acutis a Saint?

Catholics from around the world have campaigned for Carlo Acutis to become a saint after passing away almost two decades ago.

He is now set to become the 913th person to be canonised by Pope Francis and the first who was born after 1926.

When two miracles are attributed to a deceased person and approved by the pope, then they qualify for sainthood.

What is the miracle of Carlo Acutis?

There have been two miracles that are attributed to Carlo Acutis.

Catholic people can pray to deceased people who they believe to be in heaven to request they speak to God on their behalf.

They can make requests such as asking for a person to recover from an illness or injury.

Carlo Acutis died from Leukemia
Carlo Acutis died from LeukemiaCredit: Association of the Friends of Carlo Acutis

A priest had previously prayed to Carlo Acutis on behalf of a Brazilian boy who was suffering from a rare pancreatic disorder.

The seven-year-old miraculously recovered after contact with one of Acutis’s T-shirts.

In 2022, a Costa Rican woman underwent an emergency craniotomy following a bicycle accident in Florence.

The mother of Valeria Valverde went to pray for her at the tomb of Acutis and that same day she began to breathe without a ventilator.

Reports said she was discharged from intensive care ten days later and scans showed that the contusion on her brain had gone.

Where is Carlo Acutis buried?

It was reportedly Carlo Acutis' final wish to be buried in Assisi after his death.

A year after he passed away, his body was transferred to the Assisi cemetery.

On 6 April 2018, his body was brought to the Sanctuary of the Spoliation where he lies in a glass tomb.

Can I visit Carlo Acutis' burial site?

Carlo Acutis' burial site is open for the public to visit.

Those who go can see the teenager dressed in jeans a trainers as Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino removed the panel covering Carlo Acutis in 2022.

You can also see the tomb virtually online and submit your prayers.

Charlotte Everett

Italy, Religion, Explainers, EVG

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