Pope Declares New Saints at St. Peter’s Square
Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis and Giorgio Frassati in a ceremony attended by around 70,000 people in St. Peter’s Square. Acutis, who passed away at just 15 in 2006, is seen as a representative of a new generation of Catholic saints. His parents, Andrea and Antonia, were present, along with his siblings Francesca and Michele.
This event marked the first canonization presided over by Pope Leo. During his Homily, he dedicated a significant portion to both saints and departed from the traditional practices of his predecessors in various ways.
The Pope emphasized the way Acutis found holiness in everyday activities of modern Catholic life, including daily Masses and the Eucharist. He described the young saint as a figure relatable to today’s youth, “in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him.”
“Carlo met Jesus through his family, especially through his parents, and in the sacrament at school and in the parish community,” Pope Leo remarked.
He encouraged the congregation, particularly the youth, to aspire to create a meaningful life rather than waste their existence. Following the Mass, attended by about 2,000 priests, the Pope expressed his wishes for peace in conflict regions and greeted the crowds in St. Peter’s Square.
