Carlo Acutis has become the first millennial saint, but the speed and spectacle of his canonisation have raised difficult questions. From livestreamed relics to a polished global campaign, critics argue that the process feels more like marketing than reflection. This article explores the concerns, the history behind them and what Carlo’s rise reveals about modern sainthood.
You are here: Home › Contents › Carlo Acutis: Saint in Sneakers
Carlo Acutis: Saint in Sneakers
A view of Assisi, the town where Carlo Acutis is on display, setting the context for his canonisation.
In 2025 the Vatican canonised Carlo Acutis, a teenager who died of leukaemia in 2006 and was buried in Assisi wearing jeans, trainers and a rosary. His body now lies in a glass case, livestreamed daily to pilgrims around the world. Relics, including fragments of his heart, have toured internationally. His image appears on posters, prayer cards, comic books and merchandise. Carlo has become the first millennial saint, a symbol of digital devotion and youthful piety.
His story is moving. He built websites cataloguing Eucharistic miracles, volunteered, prayed daily and embraced technology as a tool for evangelisation. The Church presents him as the ideal modern Catholic, a saint for a digital age. Yet the speed of his canonisation and the spectacle surrounding it have raised questions. Critics, journalists and theologians have begun to ask whether the process reflects holiness or marketing, devotion or strategy.
This article explores those concerns and examines why Carlo’s canonisation has unsettled so many.
Key facts
- Name: Carlo Acutis
- Born: 3 May 1991, London
- Died: 12 October 2006, Monza (aged 15)
- Cause of death: Leukaemia
- Burial: Assisi, Italy
- Beatified: 10 October 2020
- Canonised: 2025
- Miracles attributed:
- Healing of a Brazilian child with a rare pancreatic disorder
- Recovery of a Costa Rican student after a severe head injury
- Legacy: Created online catalogues of Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions
- Public devotion: Livestreamed tomb, global pilgrimages, touring relics, extensive media presence
- Controversies: Speed of canonisation, sale of relics, spectacle surrounding his body, historical sensitivity of Eucharistic miracles
The theology of sainthood
Canonisation is meant to recognise a life of heroic virtue, not to create a celebrity. In Catholic theology, a saint is someone whose life reflects holiness in a way that can guide others. The process is also meant to confirm that the person can intercede for the living, which is why miracles play a central role. They’re treated as signs that the individual is already in the presence of God.
Sainthood is also universal. A canonised figure is held up as an example for the whole Church, not just a local community or a particular movement. The title is meant to transcend culture, politics and personal devotion. In theory, canonisation should be slow, careful and rooted in discernment.
This is why the speed of Carlo Acutis’ canonisation has unsettled many observers. When a process designed for reflection begins to resemble a media campaign, it raises questions about whether the theological purpose has been overshadowed by the desire for a modern symbol.
A canonisation at unprecedented speed
cr. AndyScott Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
As we’ve seen, canonisation is usually a slow, cautious process. Saints are meant to embody endurance, mystery and reflection. Carlo was beatified in 2020 and canonised just five years later, a pace that many commentators described as extraordinary.
International reporting highlighted the speed and spectacle. Journalists noted that the process was unusually polished, well‑funded and media‑savvy. Some suggested that family influence and wealth helped accelerate the cause. Others pointed out that the Vatican has rarely moved so quickly, especially for someone so young and so recently deceased.
Two miracles were attributed to Carlo, one in Brazil and one in Costa Rica. Both were accepted by the Church, but the rapid timeline left many observers uneasy. The sense of haste became part of the story.
Concerns from critics and commentators
Across Catholic and secular media, a pattern of concern emerged. Commentators questioned whether sainthood had become a form of branding, a way to capture attention in a digital age. Some Catholic writers argued that the grief surrounding Carlo felt curated, the imagery carefully staged and the narrative shaped for maximum impact.
Other reports noted that Italian prosecutors had investigated the sale of Carlo’s relics shortly before his canonisation. No wrongdoing was found, but the timing unsettled many. The idea that relics might be circulating on the market, even unofficially, clashed with the Church’s insistence on reverence and restraint.
Some Catholic journalists also pointed out that the Church has a long history of fascination with bodies, incorruptibility and physical remains. Carlo’s case revived those debates. His body was widely described online as incorrupt, but fact‑checking organisations clarified that it had been restored and prepared for display. The confusion fed a sense that the narrative was being shaped rather than simply told.
Eucharistic miracles and a troubled past
Carlo’s catalogue of Eucharistic miracles is central to his legacy. His website gathered accounts of hosts that bled, transformed or resisted decay. For many Catholics, this work was devotional and inspiring.
The history of Eucharistic miracles is complicated. In the medieval period, accusations of host desecration were sometimes used to justify anti‑Jewish violence. Claims of bleeding hosts could trigger pogroms, expulsions and persecution. Modern scholars and journalists have warned that celebrating such miracles without acknowledging this history risks perpetuating harmful narratives.
Carlo’s intentions were sincere, but the Church must navigate this legacy carefully. Presenting Eucharistic miracles as simple proofs of faith ignores the darker chapters attached to them.
Faith or market share?
The Catholic Church faces declining attendance, shrinking vocations and ongoing scandals. Carlo offers a compelling answer: a relatable teenager who bridges tradition and modernity, a saint who codes websites and wears trainers. He draws young Catholics, inspires digital evangelisation and provides a fresh face for an institution struggling with relevance.
Strategy has a cost. The livestreamed tomb, the touring heart, the merchandise and the global branding raise questions. Is this about faith, or market share? Saints are meant to witness, not perform. Relics are meant to remind, not advertise.
Some commentators argue that the Church has embraced Carlo’s popularity without addressing the deeper concerns. The spectacle risks overshadowing the sanctity.
The Church’s response
The Vatican has welcomed Carlo’s popularity, promoting his story through official channels and encouraging pilgrimages. It has not, however, directly addressed concerns about speed, spectacle or historical sensitivity. Engagement with critics has been limited to press releases and devotional materials.
For many observers, this silence is part of the problem. The Church appears eager to celebrate Carlo but reluctant to discuss the implications of his canonisation.
A call for reflection
Carlo’s devotion was real. His impact is undeniable, but sainthood is recognition, not reward. Life and death are sacred boundaries, and we shouldn’t rush them.
The Church must reflect on what Carlo’s canonisation represents. Was it about holiness or headlines? Was it shaped by faith or by the need for a modern symbol? The issue isn’t Carlo himself. The issue is haste. The issue is clarity. The issue is the feeling that something essential was lost in the speed.
The reflections here are interpretive and analytical. They aren’t intended as theological conclusions or statements about the Church’s authority
FAQ
Was Carlo Acutis incorrupt?
No. His body was restored for display. Fact‑checking organisations confirmed that it was not incorrupt, despite widespread claims online.
Why was his canonisation so fast?
The Church accepted two miracles attributed to him and moved quickly through the process. Many commentators believe the speed reflects a desire for a modern, relatable saint.
Why are some Catholics uneasy?
Concerns centre on spectacle, marketing, the sale of relics, the livestreamed tomb and the historical sensitivity of Eucharistic miracles.