Venerated as the modern saint, Carlo Acutis, starkly contrasts from the male-centric influencers of the sphere of manipulation and control

Pope Leo XIV Canonizes Two Young Italian Saints

In a historic ceremony this weekend, Pope Leo XIV will canonize two young Italian men, Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, marking the first time a Pope has canonized two saints during his first 100 days in office.

Lara Marlowe, writing for The Irish Times, has highlighted the significance of this event, particularly in the context of Gena Heraty's recent release after being held captive for three weeks. Heraty's release is seen as a source of hope in a world that needs altruism, self-abnegation, and solidarity.

Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, both Italian, died at young ages: Acutis from leukemia and Frassati from polio. Despite their premature deaths, their lives have left a lasting impact, serving as inspirational role models, especially for young people.

Acutis, a self-taught computer geek, designed websites showcasing faith in the Eucharist. His relics attracted crowds when they were displayed for veneration in Ireland. Frassati, on the other hand, had a more traditional approach, with his life revolving around the Eucharist and Catholic social teaching. He was a practical joker, a mountaineer, and a skier, with an iconic photo showing him at the top of a mountain, pipe clenched between his teeth.

Neither Frassati nor Acutis came from particularly religious families. Frassati's father, the owner and editor of La Stampa, was an agnostic senator, while his mother was a well-known artist with a conventional but not particularly deep faith. Acutis' Polish nanny, Beata, had a significant influence on his spirituality, taking him to Mass and saying the rosary together, and planting the seeds of his faith.

Both Acutis and Frassati modeled a kind of masculinity that is kind yet strong, centered on service of others. This contrasts with competing visions of masculinity that have evolved over the past 50 years, ranging from the 1980s New Man to the misogynistic male influencers of the manosphere.

Frassati had close male and female friends to whom he gave the playful name, I Tipi Loschi, variously translated as "the shady characters" or "the usual suspects". His friendship with these individuals was a testament to his inclusivity and acceptance of all, regardless of gender.

The canonization process for Pier Giorgio Frassati began shortly after his funeral in 1925 and was fast-tracked, while Carlo Acutis' process began shortly after his death in 2006. Both were recognized for their exemplary lived faith, devotion, and witness to Christ through prayer, friendship, and charity.

Gena Heraty's release serves as a reminder of the importance of these qualities in a world that often seems to be lacking in altruism, self-abnegation, and solidarity. The canonization of Acutis and Frassati offers a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even ordinary people, like Acutis who read Superman comics and played Super Mario, can live extraordinary lives rooted in faith and service to others.

Venerated as the modern saint, Carlo Acutis, starkly contrasts from the male-centric influencers of the sphere of manipulation and control