Cardinal Becciu: Carlo Acutis, a life offered for Jesus, the Church

By Vatican News

Many people have keenly awaited the announcement of the beatification of Charles Acutis, the computer genius with a love for the Eucharist. However, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the date was moved to October, as Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, told Vatican News’ Benedetta Capelli.

The Cardinal explained that a date for the beatification had been set. But it was agreed with the Bishop of Assisi that it would be moved to October 10.

“It is hoped that more people will be able to attend the ceremony at that time; among other things, it will take place just two days before the anniversary of his death, because he died on October 12, 2006. So, we agreed on this date. Hopefully, people can come, otherwise many will be able to follow the celebration via streaming”, he said.

Carlo Acutis was born in London in 2006 to Italian parents. As a young boy, he moved with them to Milan, where he lived before succumbing to leukemia at the age of 15. The computer genius will be beatified in Assisi, Perugia in October after a Brazilian boy was cured from a rare disease due to his intercession.

A boy of exemplary faith

Cardinal Becciu described Carlo Acutis’ exemplary faith as an example for young people, and for all of us.

“He was a little boy when he fell in love with the Eucharist, then he also turned his devotion to Our Lady”. The Cardinal went on to say that he used his talents to spread the faith. “He created a computer project on the themes of faith; he had a site on Eucharistic miracles. So, he lived his faith to the fullest".

Cardinal Becciu said the words of this young man are also striking. "He said, 'I want to offer all my sufferings for the Lord, for the Pope, and for the Church. I don't want to do purgatory; I want to go straight to Heaven’. At 15! A little boy who talks like that strikes us and I think it encourages everyone not to joke with our faith, but to take it seriously”.

Zeal for the Lord

Speaking to Vatican News’s Eugenio Bonanata, Carlos's mother Antonia Salzano said he was “considered a computer genius because he knew logarithms, he knew how to make programs and read university texts on these topics. But what did he do? He didn't use these media to chat, have fun, or anything like that. His zeal for the Lord and his love for the knowledge of Jesus prompted him to make use his talents to create a website on Eucharistic miracles and an exhibit on the same subject that has traveled around the world".  She said that Carlo “knew that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, but he realized that people need help to get closer to the Lord and especially to understand the importance of the sacraments".