This boy is hailed as divine; the reason for his saintliness.

In the heart of Italy, the ancient city of Assisi, known for its trade of religious figures, particularly statues and images of Saint Francis, is experiencing a significant shift. A new trend has emerged, with the introduction of figures of a young boy, challenging the traditional focus on Saint Francis.

For centuries, devotional goods sellers in Assisi have been catering to tourists and locals alike, offering a wide array of religious figures. The trade, centred around souvenir shops, has been a cornerstone of the city's economy. However, recently, a new figure has been gaining prominence, displacing the traditional focus on Saint Francis.

Thousands of figures of this young boy have appeared in religious goods stores, both in Assisi and around the Vatican. The identity of this young boy remains unknown to some customers, while others recognise him instantly. The boy whose figures suddenly appeared in large numbers in the main religious souvenir shops of Assisi and around the Vatican, displacing Saint Francis, is Carlo Acutis.

Carlo Acutis, an Italian computer programmer and volunteer, posthumously recognised as a Venerable Servant of God by the Catholic Church, has become the subject of these intriguing figures. His life, filled with acts of charity and devotion, has captured the hearts of many, leading to the surge in demand for these religious figures.

The figures of the young boy are causing a divide among customers. Some are unfamiliar with them, while others express indignation at the question, "How could you not know who this is?" When asked about the figures. The trade of religious figures in Assisi is undergoing a revolution, with companies like Holyart and La Fenice supplying the religious goods shops with these new figures.

Statues of Jesus and Mother Teresa are less common in the souvenir shops of Assisi compared to statues of Saint Francis. However, with the rise of Carlo Acutis figures, it seems that the religious goods trade in Assisi is expanding its horizons, offering a wider variety of religious figures for tourists and locals to choose from.

Via San Francesco, one of the main streets in Assisi, remains a bustling hub for the trade of religious figures. As the city continues to embrace this new trend, it remains to be seen how the religious goods trade will evolve in the future. For now, the figures of Carlo Acutis are filling the shelves of the most important religious goods stores, and the city of Assisi continues to be a beacon for religious devotion and trade.