God’s Influencer: A Short Biography of Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis was born in May 1991 to wealthy Italian parents and grew up in Milan, where he led an extraordinary life despite his privileged surroundings. A deeply religious child, he developed a fascination with the Eucharist and prayed daily. With a high IQ, Carlo mastered computers and coding before his teens, and he used his skills to create exhibitions on the Eucharist and the Saints. He also volunteered to help the poor and assist the Missionary Sisters of Charity. At 15, Carlo tragically died from leukemia, but his exemplary Christian life soon drew attention, leading to an investigation by the Vatican. In Carlo Acutis: A Short Biography, Fr. Michael Collins reflects on whether Carlo’s canonization by Pope Francis is justified, and whether this first teenage saint of the third millennium has a message for today’s Catholics.

Carlo Acutis was born in May 1991 to wealthy Italian parents and grew up in Milan, where he led an extraordinary life despite his privileged surroundings. A deeply religious child, he developed a fascination with the Eucharist and prayed daily. With a high IQ, Carlo mastered computers and coding before his teens, and he used his skills to create exhibitions on the Eucharist and the Saints. He also volunteered to help the poor and assist the Missionary Sisters of Charity. At 15, Carlo tragically died from leukemia, but his exemplary Christian life soon drew attention, leading to an investigation by the Vatican. In Carlo Acutis: A Short Biography, Fr. Michael Collins reflects on whether Carlo’s canonization by Pope Francis is justified, and whether this first teenage saint of the third millennium has a message for today’s Catholics.