We received with great joy the news that in the upcoming Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis will canonize two young people, Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, as saints of the Catholic Church.
It is fitting that Blessed Carlo — who died of leukemia at only 15 — will be canonized during the Jubilee for Adolescents, April 25-27, 2025, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati — who lived to just 24 years of age — will be canonized during the Jubilee for Young People, July 28-Aug. 3, 2025. Both men are exemplars of hope in this Holy Year that calls us to be pilgrims of hope.
Despite their brief time on earth, each of them led dynamic, generous lives, and were highly engaged in the world in which they lived. They were steadfast in their devotion to Our Lord and continue to serve as models of holiness to the young, and indeed all people.
Blessed Carlo Acutis shares much in common with the youth of today. An avid gamer and website developer, he will become the first millennial saint. Though his life seemed ordinary, he was extraordinary in holiness. His deep devotion to attending Mass, worshipping our Eucharistic Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and praying the rosary made Carlo an inspiring witness: he led his mother back to the Catholic faith and his Hindi caretaker to conversion.
Like Carlo, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati had a profound impact on those around him. A gregarious personality and mountain climber, he was born to a wealthy Italian family but nevertheless devoted himself to generous service of the poor and marginalized. He encouraged young people to join the “apostolate” of good example and persuasion, demonstrating to others a life devoted to following Christ in all things.
With gratitude to our Holy Father, may we learn from Blessed Carlo and Blessed Pier Giorgio, two ordinary yet exceptional saints-to-be, how to lead zealous, holy lives, embracing each day and following our Heavenly Father wherever he leads us.
