Pope Leo XIV declared a 15-year-old computer whiz the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint on Sunday, giving the next generation of Catholics a relatable role model who used technology to spread the faith and earn the nickname ‘God’s influencer’. Leo canonised Carlo Acutis, along with another popular Italian figure who died young, Pier Giorgio Frassati. Leo said they created “masterpieces” out of their lives.

Acutis, born on May 3, 1991 was interested in computer science and devoured college-level books on programming even as a youngster. He was also known to spend hours in prayer before the Eucharist each day. In October 2006, at age 15, Acutis fell ill, and within days, died of acute leukaemia.

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