Portraits of two people about to be canonized by the Pope

On November 20, Pope Francis said he would canonize Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) and Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) in two events held in Rome in 2025.

Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis (1991-2006).

Carlo Acutis, born in 1991 and died in 2006, will be canonized in April 2025. Born in London (UK) but raised in Italy, this young man devoted most of his short life to the Catholic faith, according to BBC.

Acutis, also known as a "computer prodigy" , used his technological talents to design online websites for parishes and schools, and launched a website that sought to document every reported miracle in the days before his death.

In May, Pope Francis recognized a second miracle for the teenager, who will become the church's youngest living saint. The move comes four years after Acutis was beatified in 2020 with a miracle attributed to him. The Catholic Church holds that only God can perform miracles, but saints, who are believed to be with God in heaven, intercede for those who pray to them. A miracle is usually a medically inexplicable healing of a person.

Acutis died in Monza, Italy, shortly after being diagnosed with leukemia. The teenager's remains were transferred to Assisi in 2007 and are now housed alongside other relics associated with the teenager.

Pier Giorgio Frassati

Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925)

Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian who died of polio in the 1920s, will also be canonized in 2025. Frassati is considered one of Italy's "social saints" or "L'Amico di Dio" (friend of God).

Frassati was born into a wealthy, upper-class family and often helped those in need. He was beatified in 1990.

The Vatican had been waiting for a second miracle to proceed with his canonization. However, Pope Francis recently approved Frassati's canonization next summer, before a decree was published recognizing another miracle attributed to the saint.