Carlo Acutis: “Patron Saint of the Internet”

“All people are born as originals, but many die as copies.” –Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London to Italian parents. He grew up in Milan, Italy, where his family moved when he was just a few months old. He was very much like any other typical teen boy. He liked to play soccer, the saxophone, and video games. He enjoyed watching police dramas, making short films, and spending time hanging out with friends.

Despite his young age, Carlo was a devout Catholic who attended daily Mass, prayed the rosary, and had a deep devotion to the Eucharist. With his friends, he spoke about the importance of going to Mass and confession, the sanctity of life, human dignity, and chastity. He inspired many people, including his own family, to deepen their faith.

Carlo was known for his compassion and kindness. He defended classmates who were bullied and supported friends going through difficult times. He also volunteered at a church-run soup kitchen, helped the poor, and assisted children with their homework.

Although he was an average student in school, he liked to read and pursue other academic areas independently. A self-taught computer whiz, Carlo bought computer programming books and taught himself coding and animation.

Carlo used his computer skills to serve the Catholic Church and to share religious content. He built websites for parishes, and he created an online exhibition to document Eucharistic miracles around the world. He cataloged 187 Eucharistic miracles over a period of two-and-a-half years, making this information accessible to many people.

At the age of fifteen, Carlo was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and he died a week later on October 12, 2006. Since then, Carlo has become a shining example of faith, hope, and love, especially to young people.

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Carlo was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020, the first millennial to be beatified by the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican ruled that Carlo had saved another boy’s life by miraculously healing his pancreatic disorder after the boy’s mother prayed a novena asking for Carlo’s intercession. Now Carlos will be the first millennial to be canonized.

Carlo Acutis is set to be canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church on April 27, 2025, during the Church’s Jubilee of Teenagers, making him the first digital-era saint. To coincide with his canonization, the documentary film Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality, will have a special limited release in theaters from April 27-29, 2025.

“Roadmap to Reality” explores the life of Carlo Acutis and the lessons he offers young people regarding the challenges of technology. The documentary blends live action, animation, and interviews with Carlo’s family, friends, tech experts, and scholars in an effort to present Carlo as a guide for navigating the digital world.

Carlo is remembered not only for his extraordinary faith but also for how he embraced modern technology to connect with others and live out his spiritual beliefs. He is often referred to as the “patron saint of the internet” and “God’s influencer” because of his ability to blend his faith with modern technology and inspire others, especially young people, to deepen their relationship with God.

Carlo is a remarkable role model of how faith can be lived in everyday life, and his story is a testament to how faith and modern technology can intersect in meaningful ways. His life and work have left a significant impact on the Church, and his legacy continues to inspire young people to use their talents for the greater glory of God.

Does the story of Carlo Acutis inspire you in any particular way?