History of Carlo Acutis in Timeline

Carlo Acutis was a British-born teenager of Italian ancestry, deeply devoted to the Eucharist. He passed away from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. His devotion to the Eucharist was central to his life. The cause for his canonization began in 2013, and he was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020. After a second miracle attributed to his intercession was confirmed in May 2024, approval was granted to move forward with canonization, initially planned for April 2025, but postponed after the death of Pope Francis.

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Full Timeline Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

May 1991: Birth of Carlo Acutis

In May 1991, Carlo Acutis was born. He was a British-born teenager of Italian ancestry, known for his devotion to the Eucharist.

May 1991: Carlo Acutis born in London

On May 3, 1991, Carlo Acutis was born in London, England, to Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano, who were members of wealthy Italian families.

September 1991: Move to Milan

In September 1991, Carlo Acutis's parents moved to Milan shortly after his birth. They worked in family businesses and he was cared for by an Irish nanny.

September 1997: Started primary school

In September 1997, Carlo Acutis began attending his first primary school, the San Carlo Institute in Milan. He later transferred to the Marcelline Tommaseo Institute three months later.

June 1998: First Communion

On June 16, 1998, at the age of seven, Carlo Acutis received his First Communion at the convent of Sant'Ambrogio ad Nemus, Milan.

May 2003: Confirmation

On May 24, 2003, Carlo Acutis was confirmed at Santa Maria Segreta Church, five years after receiving his First Communion.

2004: Creation of Website

In 2004, Carlo Acutis created a website dedicated to cataloguing Eucharistic miracles and approved Marian apparitions of the Catholic Church, involving his entire family in the project.

October 2006: Death from Leukaemia

In October 2006, Carlo Acutis died from leukaemia at the age of 15. His devotion to the Eucharist was a core theme of his life.

October 2006: Unveiling of Eucharistic Miracles Website

On October 4, 2006, days before his death, Carlo Acutis's website dedicated to cataloguing Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions was unveiled. He was hospitalized and could not attend the debut of his exhibition at Rome's Church of San Carlo Borromeo.

October 2012: Cause for Beatification Opened

On October 12, 2012, the sixth anniversary of Carlo Acutis's death, the Archdiocese of Milan opened the cause for his beatification, beginning the formal process towards sainthood.

February 2013: Diocesan Investigation Opened

On February 15, 2013, Cardinal Angelo Scola inaugurated the diocesan investigation into Carlo Acutis's life, marking a significant step in the process of canonization.

May 2013: Nihil Obstat Issued for Canonization

On May 13, 2013, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued a nihil obstat, indicating that there were no impediments to moving forward with the cause for Carlo Acutis's canonization.

May 2013: Formal Introduction to Canonization Cause

On May 13, 2013, the formal introduction to the cause for canonization occurred, and Carlo Acutis was given the title "Servant of God", marking an important step in the process.

2013: Cause for canonization opened

In 2013, the cause for canonization of Carlo Acutis was officially opened, marking the formal beginning of the process to recognize him as a saint.

November 2016: Diocesan Investigation Concluded

On November 24, 2016, the diocesan investigation into the life of Carlo Acutis formally concluded, as Cardinal Angelo Scola stated that Acutis was "a new treasure in the Ambrosian church".

July 2018: Declared Venerable

On July 5, 2018, Pope Francis confirmed Carlo Acutis's life as one of heroic virtue, declaring him Venerable, a significant step towards beatification and eventual canonization.

April 2019: Body brought to Assisi

On April 6, 2019, Carlo Acutis's body was brought to the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in Assisi, his final wish, and venerated. The procession stopped at the Cathedral of San Rufino where the diocesan choir sang a hymn composed for the occasion.

November 2019: Medical Council Opinion on Miracle

On November 14, 2019, the Vatican's Medical Council expressed a positive opinion regarding a miracle in Brazil attributed to Carlo Acutis's intercession, involving the healing of a child with a pancreatic defect.

2019: Nicola Gori as Postulator

As of 2019, Nicola Gori served as the postulator for Carlo Acutis's cause for canonization.

February 2020: Miracle Authenticity Confirmed

On February 21, 2020, Pope Francis confirmed the authenticity of a miracle attributed to Carlo Acutis's intercession, paving the way for his beatification.

October 2020: Beatification by Pope Francis

In October 2020, Carlo Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis, marking a significant step in the process of his sainthood.

October 2020: Beatification Ceremony

In October 2020, after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlo Acutis's beatification ceremony was held on October 10 in the Upper Church of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy.

October 2020: Relics on Display

Since the beatification ceremony on October 10, 2020, Carlo Acutis's relics have been on display in his tomb at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, allowing pilgrims to visit and venerate him.

2020: Miracle Recognized by Catholic Church

In 2020, the Catholic Church recognized the curing of a child's pancreatic disease as a miracle attributed to Carlo Acutis's intercession, leading to increased media and public attention.

2022: The Second Miracle Occurrence

In 2022, the second miracle attributed to the intercession of Carlo Acutis occurred. A Costa Rican woman named Valeria suffered a brain haemorrhage after falling off her bike and subsequently experienced a miraculous recovery after her mother prayed for Acutis's intercession.

May 2024: Second miracle confirmation

In May 2024, a second miracle attributed to Carlo Acutis's intercession was confirmed, advancing his path to canonization.

May 2024: Recognition of Second Miracle

On May 23, 2024, Pope Francis recognized a second miracle attributed to the intercession of Carlo Acutis, involving the healing of a Costa Rican woman named Valeria who had suffered a severe brain haemorrhage in 2022.

July 2024: Approval for Canonization

In July 2024, Pope Francis granted approval to proceed with the canonization of Carlo Acutis, following the confirmation of a second miracle attributed to his intercession.

November 2024: Canonization Announcement

On November 20, 2024, it was announced that Carlo Acutis would be canonized during the 2025 Jubilee, specifically during the Jubilee of Teenagers from April 25–27, 2025, with the ceremony confirmed for Sunday, April 27.

March 2025: Article Published by The Economist

In March 2025, The Economist published an article quoting Acutis's childhood best friend who did not remember him as particularly religious, which was disputed by Acutis's mother, Antonia.

April 2025: Canonization Postponement

Following Pope Francis's death on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the Vatican announced that Carlo Acutis's canonization ceremony, originally scheduled for April 27, would be postponed, with a new date to be determined.