Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati: The People’s Holy Boys Canonized as Saints in Historic Vatican Ceremony
Vatican City – September 7, 2025 – In a moment of profound spiritual significance, Pope Leo XIV today proclaimed Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati as saints of the Catholic Church, marking the first canonizations of his pontificate. The joint ceremony, held in St. Peter’s Square amid a gathering of over 250,000 faithful, celebrated two young men from different eras whose lives of quiet devotion and radical charity have captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Dubbed the “people’s holy boys” for their relatable humanity and grassroots appeal, Acutis and Frassati embody a modern call to holiness, inspiring a new generation of believers to live faith in everyday actions. As the Church observes the Jubilee of Hope in 2025, this event underscores the timeless message that sainthood is accessible to all, regardless of age or circumstance.
A Historic Double Canonization: Details from the Vatican
The canonization Mass, which began at 10 a.m. local time, drew pilgrims from across the globe, including youth groups from Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Pope Leo XIV, in his homily, highlighted the saints’ shared emphasis on the Eucharist and service to the poor, drawing parallels between their lives despite the nearly century separating them. “In this setting, today we look to Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own time,” the Pope said. “Carlo, who was even younger than Pier Giorgio, loved to say that heaven has always been waiting for us, and that to love means to serve others. Their stories remind us of the power of compassion, connection, and community.”
The formal declaration came during the Formula of Canonization, where Pope Leo XIV stated: “Dear friends, Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives, but to make them masterpieces of holiness.” The Vatican issued special stamps commemorating the event, and the Mass featured testimonies from those touched by the saints’ intercession, including a young Italian woman who credited Frassati’s prayers for her recovery from illness.
This is the first time two laymen from Italy, both dying young, have been canonized together, emphasizing the Church’s focus on youthful sanctity during the Jubilee Year. The ceremony was broadcast live on Vatican News and EWTN, reaching an estimated 10 million viewers worldwide.
Background: Who Were These ‘Holy Boys’?
Carlo Acutis, born on May 3, 1991, in London to Italian parents, was an English-born teenager who relocated to Milan as a child. From a young age, he displayed an extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist, attending daily Mass and creating websites to document Eucharistic miracles around the world – earning him the nickname “God’s influencer.” Despite his affluent upbringing, Acutis lived simply, using his computer skills to spread faith rather than for personal gain. He died of leukemia on October 12, 2006, at age 15, offering his suffering for the Pope and the Church. Beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis, Acutis became the first millennial on the path to sainthood, with his cause advanced by a miracle involving the healing of a Brazilian boy from a pancreatic disorder.
Pier Giorgio Frassati, born April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy, came from a prominent family – his father founded the newspaper La Stampa. Known for his athleticism, love of mountains, and political activism, Frassati was a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic and dedicated himself to serving the poor, often giving away his possessions and visiting slums in Turin. He died suddenly of polio on July 4, 1925, at age 24, and his funeral drew thousands, revealing his hidden acts of charity. Beatified in 1990 by Pope John Paul II, who called him “a man of the Beatitudes,” Frassati’s cause was propelled by a miracle curing a U.S. man of a rare bone disease. His life of “verso l’alto” (to the heights) has inspired youth movements worldwide.
Both men, often called the “people’s holy boys” for their approachable, everyday holiness, rejected worldly pursuits in favor of faith and service. Acutis, a gamer and programmer, showed that sanctity can thrive in the digital age, while Frassati, a social activist, demonstrated holiness through civic engagement. Their youthful deaths and relatable struggles have made them icons for modern Catholics, particularly young people facing contemporary challenges like technology addiction and social inequality.
Expert Insights: Voices from the Church and Beyond
Vatican officials and youth leaders have hailed the canonizations as a timely boost for evangelization. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, told Vatican News: “Through [Acutis and Frassati], the Church demonstrates that holiness, living the meaning of life in the present, is possible at a young age and in ordinary circumstances.” Father John Belmonte, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Venice, Florida, added in a National Catholic Register interview: “They are brothers in Christ, models for young people today who aspire to live fully in the world but with their eyes fixed on heaven.”
Youth groups like the World Youth Day organizers have embraced the saints as patrons. “Carlo and Pier Giorgio show that sainthood isn’t for the elite – it’s for everyone,” said Maria Rossi, a coordinator for Italian Catholic youth, in a statement to Reuters. Their influence is evident in pilgrimages: Acutis’s tomb in Assisi draws over 100,000 visitors annually, while Frassati’s in Turin inspires hiking groups emulating his mountain treks.
Potential Impact: Inspiring a New Generation and Church Renewal
The canonizations are expected to galvanize Catholic youth, particularly during the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, which emphasizes pilgrimage and mercy. With the Church facing declining attendance among young Europeans (only 10% of 18-29-year-olds attend weekly Mass, per Pew Research), these saints offer relatable role models. Acutis, as the first “digital saint,” could bridge faith and technology, encouraging online evangelization, while Frassati’s activism may inspire social justice initiatives.
Next steps include global feast day celebrations – Acutis on October 12 and Frassati on July 4 – and potential Vatican-sponsored youth programs. The Church plans relics tours in 2026, starting in the U.S. and Asia, to spread their messages. However, challenges remain: Some critics question the speed of Acutis’s process (19 years from death), raising debates on modern sainthood criteria.
A Timeless Call to Holiness
The canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati reminds the world that true holiness lies in ordinary acts of love and service. As Pope Leo XIV urged in his homily, these “people’s holy boys” invite us to transform our lives into “masterpieces of holiness.” For a Church seeking renewal, their stories offer a powerful takeaway: Sainthood is not a relic of the past but a vibrant path for today’s youth, proving that faith can flourish in any era. As pilgrims depart St. Peter’s Square, the message is clear – holiness is within reach for all.