Influencer declared holy by Pope, deemed divine by religious leader
Pope Leo XVI Canonizes Two Young Saints in Grand Mass
Pope Leo XVI made history last Sunday as he canonized two young saints, Italian teenager Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, in a grand mass held in St. Peter's Square. This was the first canonization for Pope Leo XVI since he was elected four months ago.
Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at the age of 15 from leukemia, became the first person from this millennium to be canonized by the Catholic Church. His relics have been exhibited in Germany, and his body is currently on display in a glass-sided coffin in a church in Assisi, dressed in jeans and sneakers. The Vatican also refers to Acutis as the "Cyber-Apostle" due to his online advocacy for his faith.
The process for Carlo Acutis' beatification and canonization took less than 20 years, a remarkable speed in the complex and multi-stage process of sainthood. Acutis is said to have caused two "miraculous healings" after his death, one in Florence and one in Brazil.
Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died in 1925, was also canonized during the service. In most cases, miracles are required to be attributed to the saint, but Frassati's canonization was based on his exemplary life and his influence on others.
Pope Leo XVI spoke of an "invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to waste our lives but to direct them upwards and make them a masterpiece." This sentiment was echoed by the Church's hope that these "young saints" will make the Church more appealing.
Over 80,000 people attended the service according to Vatican figures, and over a million people visited the church where Carlo Acutis' body is displayed last year. In the souvenir shops of the town of St. Francis, souvenirs of Carlo Acutis are sold alongside those of the founder of the Franciscan order.
Two larger-than-life images of the saints hung on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica. The life of the candidates for sainthood is thoroughly investigated, and the Catholic Church considers Carlo Acutis to have led an exemplary life up to his death. There is some criticism regarding the extent of Carlo Acutis' faith, but his parents and two siblings were present, making this only the second time a canonization has included family members.
The Catholic Church has over 10,000 saints, including the Virgin Mary and almost all the apostles. The Church hopes that these young saints will inspire a new generation to live lives of faith and service, and to direct their lives towards a higher purpose.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
- Reducing Anxiety Through Nutrition: Edibles That Soothe the Mind
