What in the World - The video gamer who became a Catholic saint

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The Catholic Church has appointed its first ever millennial saint — Carlo Acutis. A keen gamer and coder, the Italian teenager died aged only 15 back in 2006, days after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia. Since then, he’s earned the nickname ‘God’s influencer’ and developed a devoted following for the work he did to spread Catholic teaching during his short life.

Catholic followers believe he was behind two miracles and over a million people have travelled to Assisi to see his preserved remains. So, how does the process of becoming a saint work? And is Carlo’s canonisation part of a bigger push to get more young people interested in the Catholic Church?

BBC journalist Chelsea Coates explains all the steps towards becoming a saint. PopeCrave and a young Catholic tell us their thoughts about the Church’s first millennial saint.

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Presenter: Pria Rai
Producers: Benita Barden, Maria Clara Montoya and Chelsea Coates
Video Journalist: Imogen James
Editor: Verity Wilde

Published on Thursday, 23rd October 2025.

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