The canonization of young Carlo Acutis, initially scheduled for today in Rome, has been suspended following the death of Pope Francis. While the process itself remains unchanged, the event has been postponed sine die. This decision has saddened thousands of faithful, especially young people, for whom “God’s geek” represents a modern figure of faith.
April 27, 2025, was meant to mark a historic date in the Catholic calendar. Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who died in 2006 at the age of 15 and was beatified in 2020, was set to be proclaimed a saint. It would have been a first for a “millennial,” and also for a computer enthusiast whose testimony of faith has reached across continents and generations. But just six days before the ceremony, Pope Francis passed away, thereby halting the canonization.
Canon law is clear: there can be no canonization without a pontiff. Any solemn declaration—such as naming a new saint—cannot be made during a period of sede vacante, when the papal seat is vacant. The Catholic Church now enters a time of waiting, along with thousands of faithful who had been preparing to celebrate Carlo Acutis.
An Unexpected Suspension
In Rome, preparations were in full swing. Thousands of young people were expected to attend the Jubilee for Adolescents, initiated by Pope Francis during this jubilee year. Parish delegations from Europe, Africa, and the Americas had mobilized for the occasion. Vigils and prayers were to culminate in a powerful moment: the proclamation of Carlo’s sainthood.
Two miracles were approved during the canonization process. The first involved the 2013 healing of a Brazilian child with a serious pancreatic condition. The second, in 2022, concerned a young Costa Rican girl severely injured in a bicycle accident who recovered after her mother visited Carlo’s tomb in Assisi. After investigation, Vatican medical and theological commissions confirmed the unexplainable nature of these healings.
But Pope Francis’ death brought everything to a halt. On April 21, the Holy See Press Office issued a statement: “Following the death of the Sovereign Pontiff Francis, it is announced that the Eucharistic celebration and the canonization rite of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled for April 27, 2025 [...] are suspended.”
Holiness Within Everyone’s Reach
Carlo Acutis was far from a mystical recluse. He loved video games and computers, hung out with friends, and wore hoodies. Yet each day, he dedicated time to prayer, Mass, and helping the poor. At age 11, he created a website devoted to Eucharistic miracles. His life, deeply rooted in faith, has made him a role model for many young believers.
The contrast is striking: a connected teen who believed—a geek turned toward God. A child of his time who lived his faith without retreating from the world. This is the image the Vatican sought to highlight with his canonization. In a Church facing an aging population and a crisis in vocations, making Carlo Acutis a saint would have sent a powerful message: holiness is accessible to all.
Waiting in Faith and Hope
In the days following the postponement, reactions were mixed. For many, sadness prevails. But in Rome, some pilgrim groups kept their travel plans, choosing to transform the suspended event into a time of prayer and communion. For others, it is a call to patience.
After all, the “cyber-apostle” never sought recognition. He once said, “Everyone is born an original, but many die as photocopies.” The delay, then, becomes a continuation of his message.
In Assisi, where his body lies, pilgrims continue to arrive. Since his beatification in 2020, the sanctuary has welcomed countless visitors praying at his tomb. For the Church, Carlo Acutis’ story continues to inspire—even without the official canonization decree. Many priests already speak of him as a spiritual guide.
Meanwhile, the life of the Church moves forward under watchful eyes. The conclave is being prepared. The jubilee calendar is being revised. And Carlo Acutis’ canonization will come—sooner or later. It will be all the more anticipated, and all the more powerful. The official recognition will only confirm what the faithful already believe.
The suspension of this canonization reminds us of a central truth of Christian faith: sainthood does not depend on a rite, but on a true testimony. And Carlo Acutis’ testimony remains uninterrupted.
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