Why Carlo Acutis Is Called the ‘Patron Saint of the Internet’
KCO Staff - September 2025
Carlo Acutis, who will be canonized on September 7, 2025, is often affectionately called the “Patron Saint of the Internet.” It’s a title that captures the imagination, how could a teenager from Milan become a guide for Catholics navigating the digital world?
Carlo grew up like many young people of his generation. He loved technology, taught himself computer programming, and was fascinated by the power of the internet. But instead of using it for self-promotion, Carlo saw it as a tool to share the Gospel. When he was just 11 years old, he began creating a website that cataloged Eucharistic miracles from around the globe. His project grew into an international exhibition that continues to inspire parishes and schools today.
Carlo believed the internet could be used to bring people closer to God rather than lead them away. He famously said, “The Internet is a gift from God, but like all gifts, it must be used responsibly.” He also warned against wasting time on trivial things, reminding his peers, “We are all born originals, but many die as photocopies.”
Calling Carlo the “Patron Saint of the Internet” isn’t just about his love of technology. It is a challenge to Catholics today to use digital tools with purpose and integrity. Social media, streaming, and online communities can spread light or darkness depending on how we engage with them. Carlo’s life shows that the internet can become a mission field, a place where faith, truth, and beauty can reach people who may never set foot in a church.
As Catholics spend hours online each day, Carlo’s example invites us to ask: Are we using the internet to grow closer to Christ, to share the truth, and to encourage others? Or are we letting it distract us from the life of grace? Carlo reminds us that holiness can be “downloaded” into our daily routines, even through the glow of a screen.
When we invoke Carlo Acutis as the “Patron Saint of the Internet,” we are praying for courage to be faithful witnesses online, whether that means posting words of encouragement, sharing Scripture, or simply choosing not to participate in negativity. Carlo’s canonization is a sign of hope for a generation longing to find God in the digital age.
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