7 curiosities about Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis, the first saint millennialwill be canonized today, September 7, by Pope Leo XIV. The young man, known as "God's influencer," died at the age of 15 from fulminant leukemia. His life was marked by a deep love for the Eucharist, his passion for computers and his desire to put technology at the service of the Gospel. Despite his short life, he left a testimony of faith, simplicity and solidarity that inspired thousands of people. 

From his life we highlight seven curious aspects that define the young saint. 

Her Polish caregiver fueled her faith journey

From an early age, Carlo had a natural inclination towards the sacred. At the age of three he used to ask his mother to go into churches to greet Jesus and he used to pick flowers for the Madonna. 

At the age of seven he asked to receive the Eucharist and, requesting an exemption or dispensation, Carlo received his first communion earlier than usual. Antonia Salzanohis mother, told the newspaper Corriere della Sera: "Carlo saved me. I was illiterate in the faith". Her son discovered the faith thanks to his Polish nanny, Beata, a devotee of St. John Paul II. Even though his parents were not practicing, she instilled in him an intense spirituality. 

Served the poor in soup kitchens

Every evening she brought hot meals to the homeless. He served at the tables of the poor, those of Mother Teresa of Calcutta's sisters in Baggio and those of the Capuchins. A Hindu employee of his family converted to Catholicism after seeing how Carlo helped the disadvantaged.

He predicted his death

Carlo Acutis predicted his own death. A few days after the funeral, his mother found on his computer desk a short film he himself had shot in Assisi three months earlier: "When I weigh 70 kilos, I am destined to die."
She also predicted that her mother would have twins and sure enough, in 2010 she gave birth to Francesca and Michele.

His "whole" body in Assisi

At his exhumation in 2019, his body was found "whole, not intact", preserving all his organs. The diocese clarified that this was not miraculous incorruptibility, but remarkable preservation. 

Carlo asked his mother to bury him in Assisi. Carlo's mother told Corriere della Sera that the family had a house in Umbria. "A sign indicated that new spaces in the community cemetery were for sale. I asked Carlo what he thought. 'I would be very happy to end up here'." Now his body rests in the Sanctuary of the Spoliationwhere the faithful will be able to venerate it forever.

The heart as a living relic

Carlo's heart is preserved in a reliquary in the Papal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, in a beautiful paradox: they could not donate his organs because of his illness, but his heart remains preserved. 

Technology at the service of faith

He called himself a "cyber-apostle" of the Eucharist. At the age of 11, he created a website documenting more than 150 Eucharistic miracles around the world, with maps, videos, downloadable texts in multiple languages, and a "virtual exposition" that was replicated in shrines around the world. 

Courageous defender of his faith

He was not afraid to defend Catholic teachings. In school debates about abortion, he did so with moral conviction. He was also known for being a loyal friend. He used to support and protect children who were being bullied, especially a classmate with a disability. In addition, he shared with his friends messages about the value of participating in mass and going to confession, respect for the dignity of each person and the importance of chastity.
As a student, he was invited to create the website of his parish and another one to promote school volunteering; he won a national contest called "Sarai volontario" (You will be a volunteer).