Carlo Acutis, soon-to-be saint, shares a surprising link with Pope Leo XIV through the high school he attended in Milan.
The Catholic Church will soon canonize Carlo Acutis, a British-born teen and tech enthusiast inspiring millions worldwide.
A striking link between Acutis and Pope Leo XIV has recently intrigued the faithful, enriching the young man’s legacy.
Who is Carlo Acustis?
Carlo Acutis, who was born in London in 1991, passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 after a brief battle with leukemia.
Though short-lived, Acutis profoundly impacted Catholics with his Eucharist devotion and use of technology for evangelization.
Known affectionately as “God’s Influencer,” Acutis created a popular online exhibition documenting Eucharistic miracles.
Unique connection between soon-to-be canonized ‘God’s Influencer’ and Pope Leo XIV
Father David Michael Moses from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston recently revealed a striking discovery on his podcast.
He noticed that Carlo attended a high school in Milan named the Leo XIII Institute.
This school was named after Pope Leo XIII, the very pontiff who inspired the name chosen by the current Pope, Leo XIV.
Father Moses expressed astonishment at the coincidence, especially given that Acutis did not attend many schools.
His last school’s name, linked to a pope inspiring a future papal name, held undeniable significance.
‘What are the chances that the school that he’s attending when he dies was named after Pope Leo XIII, the predecessor of our new Pope Leo XIV, the pope that Leo XIV says inspired him to choose the name? What are the chances? How cool is that?
‘We are on a Leo tear right now in the Church.’
Carlo’s devotion to the Pope and the Church is remembered
As Father Moses dug deeper into Acutis’ life, he found even more meaningful connections.
In one of his most remembered quotes, Carlo once said, “I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and for the Church.”
This statement has taken on new significance in light of Pope Leo XIV’s emergence and his connection to Pope Leo XIII.
Many see this as a spiritual alignment that underscores Acutis’ early and profound dedication to the papacy.
‘Blessed Carlo, the first millennial saint about to be canonized, offered his suffering in large part for the pope.
‘And now we have a pope who chooses the name of Blessed Carlo’s high school patron. So cool. Love that.’
Carlo Acustis’ legacy lives on through technology and miracles
Throughout his life, Carlo used his tech skills to serve the Church. He maintained websites for his parish and a Vatican-affiliated academy.
His exhibition on Eucharistic miracles remains a widely visited digital resource.
Acknowledging his holiness, the Vatican has credited Carlo with multiple miracles.
One such miracle, recognized in 2020 by Pope Francis, involved the healing of a Brazilian boy with pancreatic cancer.
A second miracle, confirmed in 2024, was the recovery of a student in Florence who suffered a brain hemorrhage.
Due to these miracles, the Church has fast-tracked Carlo’s path to sainthood.
He beatified in 2020, and following the recognition of the second miracle, he is now set to be canonized.
Modern role model for youth and the faithful
Carlo often hailed as a relatable saint for the modern generation.
He balanced normal teenage hobbies like PlayStation with a strong dedication to his faith and religious life.
The Pope said: ‘Carlo was well-aware that the whole apparatus of communications, advertising and social networking can be used to lull us, to make us addicted to consumerism and buying the latest thing on the market, obsessed with our free time, caught up in negativity,’ Crux reported.
His mother, Antonia Salzano, frequently shares stories of her son’s faith.
She credits him for inspiring her faith and introducing her to Church traditions early on.
Despite growing up in a non-religious household, Carlo demonstrated an extraordinary connection to faith.
He would attend Mass daily, spend hours in church, and donate to the poor even as a young child.
He told his parents in his final words: ‘I die happy because I didn’t spend any minutes of my life in things God doesn’t love.’
Global following grows as Acutis awaits sainthood
Today, Carlo Acutis’ legacy honored in places like Assisi, where he chose to be buried.
His body lies in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and draws visitors from around the world.
In the UK, his influence continues to grow. The Archbishop of Birmingham established a parish in his name in 2020, which includes churches in Wolverhampton and Wombourne.