Carlo Acutis will soon become the first millennial to be elevated to the altars and one of the first saints, along with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, to be canonized by Pope Leo XIV.
Despite his young age—he died at just 15 from leukemia—Carlo is widely known for his “virtual apostolate.” While he was a gifted computer programmer, his mother revealed that he may have had another vocation in mind: the priesthood.
Antonia Acutis, the mother of the young Italian, recently gave an interview to the National Catholic Register.
In it, she shared her hopes for her son’s canonization, scheduled for Sept. 7, 2025, along with some little-known details about his life.
"Carlo had a gift for computer programming because he was a computer genius," Antonia explained. "He used C++ and Java at the age of 9, when he was already reading computer-programming textbooks that we would buy from the Polytechnic University of Milan."
She added, “He would create statistical programs for his dad, who was an insurer. It was something incredible. But he would use his programming skills, above all, to evangelize."
Despite his talent with computers, Antonia revealed that Carlo may have been discerning another calling.
"He was thinking about becoming a priest. Before he died, he asked me what I thought about this idea. He also asked his grandmother. I believe that was his intention. Also, he wanted to become a catechist. This thing came from him spontaneously. Surely, he had a call.”
Carlo never became a priest, as the Lord called him home while he was still a teenager. But his short life continues to remind us that holiness is possible for every person, in every stage and circumstance of life—even before a specific vocation is fully realized.
He was deeply devoted to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the rosary, and had a great love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He also cared deeply for the poor, the sick, and the needy.
Using his computer skills, Carlo created a website to share Eucharistic miracles from around the world. His goal was to help people understand the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist so that they might come to love Him more.
"Carlo’s exhibit has touched the lives of people around the world," Antonia said. "You see that a Eucharistic Host is transformed into flesh. This is something that moves people deeply. Therefore, the things that Carlo did are bringing a great deal of fruit. There are prayer groups for Carlo around the world. This is, of course, for young people who have a spiritual life. However, even a nonbeliever can read about this exhibit and maybe become curious and start to think. Maybe it plants an invisible seed, and, slowly, it makes its way through the brambles. Maybe a flower will blossom. That is my hope."