23/12/2025
Meet the "patron saint of the internet": Pope Leo urges young people to follow the example of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis.
As Christmas approaches, Pope Leo XIV has a timely message for young Catholics: make peace with someone close to you, and find inspiration in modern saints.
Speaking to young members of Italian Catholic Action at the Vatican, the Pope emphasized that true peace begins in everyday relationships. “Let us remember that harmony and respect begin in our daily relationships, in the gestures and words we exchange at home, at the parish, with schoolmates, in sports,” he said. He called peace a “gift that can truly only be found in the heart,” and a gesture that makes us “witnesses of Jesus.”
Modern Role Models: The "Man of the Beatitudes" and "God's Influencer"
Reflecting on the Nativity, the Pope pointed young people to the example of two 20th-century saints known for their youthful zeal:
-Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925): Known as the "Man of the Beatitudes" for his joy and service to the poor and sick.
-Carlo Acutis (1991-2006): The "first millennial saint," canonized in September 2025. Acutis was a typical Italian teenager with a passion for computers, video games, and soccer, who used his tech skills to create websites cataloguing Eucharistic miracles. He has been called "God's Influencer" and the "patron saint of the Internet."
“By acting like them, your proclamation of peace will be radiant,” Pope Leo said, “because in the company of Jesus you will be truly free and happy, ready to reach out to your neighbour, especially those in need.”
A Saint for the Digital Age
Carlo Acutis’s canonization has captured global attention for presenting a relatable model of holiness. He was an avid gamer and programmer who saw technology as a tool for evangelization. He died of leukemia at age 15, offering his suffering for the Pope and the Church. His remarkably rapid path to sainthood, while supported by his family's resources, has been officially defended by Church authorities as following due process.
The Pope’s message merges a timeless Christmas call for reconciliation with a fresh invitation to follow saints who understood the modern world.
Will you accept the Pope's challenge to make peace this Christmas?
