On September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV declared Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old gamer, coder, and dreamer, a saint — making him the first millennial Catholic saint. Nicknamed “God’s Influencer”, Carlo’s life wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being real, kind, and purposeful in a chaotic world — a message that resonates with today’s adolescents, who are juggling digital distractions, identity struggles, mental health challenges, and the pressure to “fit in.”
Carlo’s life shows us one thing clearly: holiness is not about halos; it’s about making brave, everyday choices that bring meaning. And that’s exactly what young people today are searching for.
1. Living Authentically in a Filtered World
Carlo was a techie — he loved coding, Pokémon, Spider-Man, and video games. But unlike many of us, he didn’t let technology consume him. He limited gaming to two hours a week and used the rest of his time to create, connect, and serve.
In his words: “Don’t be photocopies. Be originals.” Today, adolescents face relentless pressure to curate perfection — perfect selfies, perfect grades, perfect lives on Instagram. But Carlo’s life speaks a different truth: your identity isn’t defined by followers, filters, or FOMO. It’s defined by who you are when the Wi-Fi is off — your kindness, your courage, your compassion.
So here’s the challenge: Next time you pick up your phone, ask yourself — am I using tech to create light or to hide behind noise?
2. Standing Up When It’s Hard
Carlo didn’t shy away from defending what mattered to him. In a classroom debate on abortion, when most disagreed with him, he stood firm — respectfully, without hatred. That takes courage, especially in a world where peer pressure is relentless and cancel culture hovers like a shadow.
For today’s teenagers, the temptation to blend in is real: saying yes to things that don’t align with your values, staying silent to avoid rejection, choosing popularity over principle.
But Carlo reminds us: it’s not cool to follow the crowd if the crowd is walking off a cliff. Integrity often means swimming against the current — and that’s where true strength is built.
3. Loving the Forgotten and the Vulnerable
If Carlo saw someone bullied, left out, or lonely, he stepped in. He befriended kids with disabilities, comforted classmates whose parents were divorcing, and quietly helped the homeless outside his parish. No cameras. No hashtags. Just love in action.
Today, adolescents scroll past hundreds of heartbreaking posts — hungry children, refugees, climate disasters — and feel powerless. But Carlo shows us that we don’t need to fix the whole world in one day. Change begins small:
- Sitting with the kid who eats lunch alone
- Standing up when someone’s mocked
- Donating time, food, or talent to someone in need
In a noisy world, acts of quiet kindness speak louder than a thousand trending hashtags.
Balancing Faith, Fun, and Purpose
Carlo loved Spider-Man, Pokémon, football, and gaming. But here’s the difference: he didn’t let hobbies control him — he used his talents for something greater. At just 14, he created a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles that is now viewed globally.
Imagine that — a teenager using coding skills to inspire faith and curiosity around the world. Carlo didn’t wait to “grow up” to make an impact.
And that’s the invitation for today’s adolescents: whether you’re a gamer, artist, dancer, writer, or innovator, your gift is meant to build, not break. Your creativity can heal, inspire, and transform lives.
Finding Strength in Faith and Resilience in Pain
At 15, Carlo was diagnosed with leukaemia. While most would be consumed by fear, his response was profound: “I offer all my suffering to the Lord … I want to go straight to heaven.”
Carlo’s faith didn’t erase his pain, but it gave him purpose within it. Adolescents today face rising anxiety, depression, and uncertainty — about school, relationships, careers, and the future. Carlo’s story whispers a powerful reminder: faith, hope, and gratitude can be anchors when life feels stormy.
Whether you believe in God or not, Carlo’s courage challenges us to find something bigger than ourselves — a meaning that holds us when everything else shakes.
Digital Detox with Purpose
Carlo was a gamer and loved the internet — but he wasn’t trapped by it. He warned about becoming slaves to our screens and encouraged others to use technology for good. Today, we spend endless hours scrolling through TikTok loops, gaming marathons, and late-night binge sessions. But what if, like Carlo, we took even a tiny fraction of that time to do something meaningful? Write. Create. Volunteer. Connect with real people.
Carlo didn’t reject tech — he hacked it for good. That’s a challenge worth accepting.
A Call to Young Dreamers Everywhere
Carlo Acutis wasn’t a superhero. He wasn’t rich, powerful, or famous. He was an ordinary teen who chose extraordinary love — love for God, love for people, and love for purpose.
His canonisation isn’t just about celebrating a saint in Rome. It’s a wake-up call for adolescents everywhere:
- Stop scrolling and start living.
- Stop comparing and start creating.
- Stop waiting for “someday” — make today count.
You don’t need perfect grades, perfect looks, or perfect faith to make a difference. You just need a willing heart and the courage to show up where kindness is missing.
Carlo’s Challenge to Gen Z & Gen Alpha
- Balance your screen time — tech is a tool, not a trap.
- Stand for your values even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Include those who are excluded — kindness changes lives.
- Use your talents meaningfully — gaming, coding, music, writing — make them count.
- Pause and reflect — find your “why” before the world decides it for you.
Because Carlo’s story teaches us that purpose beats popularity. And sometimes, the smallest acts of love change the biggest hearts.
Carlo once said: “Our aim must be infinite, not the finite. The infinite is our homeland.” Today, as he is declared a saint, his life invites us to pause, breathe, and ask:
- What am I living for?
- Who am I becoming?
- How can I make my little corner of the world better?
In a world drowning in distractions, Carlo chose direction. In a culture chasing applause, he chose authenticity. And in an age hungry for hope, he became a light for millions. Now, it’s your turn.
(The writer is an Assistant Professor of Social Work, Goa University and Founder, Human Touch Foundation. He has served as the Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights)
