In today’s fast-paced digital world—where screens are everywhere, apps never stop buzzing, and information is always just a click away—it’s not every day that a story about a teenager stops people in their tracks. But the story of Carlo Acutis has done just that.

Carlo wasn’t a famous athlete or celebrity. He was a 15-year-old boy who used his passion for technology to share his faith with others. While most teens were playing video games or scrolling social media, Carlo was building a website documenting what he believed to be Eucharistic miracles around the world.

Born in London and raised in Italy, Carlo’s life was short but impactful. Diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager, he faced his illness with remarkable grace and faith. Those who knew him remember his joy, kindness, and unwavering devotion to the Catholic Church, especially his beliefs surrounding the Eucharist. He’s even earned the nickname “God’s Influencer,” and his story has sparked inspiration across generations.

Now, nearly two decades after his passing, the Vatican has announced that Carlo will be officially canonized as a saint on September 7, 2025, marking him as the first recognized “millennial saint” in the Roman Catholic Church. The news has been met with joy and celebration in Catholic communities around the world. In Chicago, for example, the parish named after him is honoring his legacy with events, youth programs, and a renewed passion for faith among the next generation.

But for those of us who seek to live by the authority of Scripture, Carlo’s story invites a different kind of reflection, one that’s rooted in God’s Word, guided by love, and shaped by the core truths of the Gospel.

How should we respond when someone is elevated to sainthood? And what do we make of miracles tied to their name?

These are important questions, and they deserve thoughtful, biblically grounded answers.

Let’s walk through them together.

What Does It Really Mean to Be a Saint?

When we hear the word saint, it often brings to mind stained-glass windows, halos, and long lists of miracles and martyrdoms. In many religious traditions, saints are seen as a rare kind of spiritual giant: people placed on a pedestal, remembered with feast days, and even prayed to in times of need.

But if we turn to the pages of Scripture, we see something refreshingly different.

In the New Testament, the word saint simply refers to a believer in Jesus Christ, someone who has been set apart by God, not because of what they’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for them. Paul writes to the “saints” in places like Rome, Ephesus, and Philippi, not just the super-spiritual among them, but the entire church.

“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…” (Romans 1:7).

“Paul, an apostle… to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1).

These weren’t perfect people. They were new believers, struggling believers, growing believers. But they were saints because they belonged to Christ.

This truth is incredibly freeing. We don’t become saints through years of service, or by having miracles attributed to our name. We don’t need a vote from church leaders or recognition from a religious institution. Sainthood isn’t an honor we earn; it’s an identity we’re given the moment we’re united to Jesus by faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

So, while we can certainly admire faithful Christians from history (and even from our own lives), we don’t need to canonize anyone. In fact, doing so can unintentionally shift the focus away from Christ and onto human achievement.

Instead, we’re reminded that every believer is called to holiness. That includes the teenager who just gave her life to Christ last week, the single dad wrestling through his faith, and the grandmother quietly praying for her family. In God’s eyes, they’re all saints, not because they’re flawless, but because they’re His.

And that’s good news for all of us.

Miracles Still Happen but They’re Not the Measuring Stick

When we hear that someone has been declared a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, there’s usually more to the story than just a faithful life. As part of the canonization process, the Church looks for what it considers verifiable miracles—often healings—that are said to have occurred through that person’s intercession after death. In the case of Carlo Acutis, two such events were officially recognized: one in Brazil, and another involving a Costa Rican student who recovered from a severe head injury.

Now, let’s be clear: as Bible-believing Christians, we absolutely affirm that God is still powerful and active. The God who parted the Red Sea, made the sun stand still, and raised the dead is the same God we worship today. We have no reason to believe that miracles have ceased. In fact, many of us have witnessed or experienced His healing, provision, and intervention in ways that defy explanation.

But here’s where we need to be careful.

The Bible teaches us that miracles alone are not proof of spiritual authority or divine approval. They can be real, but they can also be misleading. Scripture warns that signs and wonders—even those that seem impressive—can be counterfeited or misused.

“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect” (Mark 13:22).

So, while we rejoice when God heals or moves in powerful ways, we also remember that miracles aren’t the foundation of our faith; Christ is. The Gospel doesn’t rest on sensational events, but on the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

Even more, the true test of a godly life isn’t whether someone is associated with miracles. It’s whether their life displays the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, and so on (Galatians 5:22–23). It’s about character shaped by Scripture, a heart humbled by grace, and a life lived for God’s glory.

We don’t need miracles to tell us someone loved Jesus. And we don’t need supernatural signs to affirm our own faith.

God still works wonders, but He also works quietly, daily, and faithfully in the hearts of His people. That’s just as miraculous.

The Danger of Elevating People Above the Truth

In every generation, there are individuals who become spiritual symbols, icons of devotion or examples of faithfulness. In the Roman Catholic tradition, these figures are often canonized and publicly honored as saints, their names celebrated, their images venerated, and their lives held up as models to imitate.

But for those of us who are committed to the authority of Scripture, we need to ask: Where does this lead us? And what does God’s Word actually say?

The Bible gives us clear instruction. There is only one who is worthy of our spiritual devotion and trust, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how sincere or zealous someone may be, if they preach or promote a message that distorts the Gospel—especially one that elevates ritual, sacrament, or human merit—they are not leading people toward Christ, but away from Him.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2).

Carlo Acutis, while sincere, devoted his efforts to promoting Catholic doctrines—particularly the Eucharist—that are fundamentally at odds with the Gospel as revealed in Scripture. His digital work centered on what he believed to be Eucharistic “miracles,” reinforcing the belief that Christ is physically present in the elements of communion, which is a teaching that undermines the once-for-all sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10–14).

This is not a minor theological difference. It strikes at the very heart of how we understand salvation, grace, and the finished work of Christ.

That’s why, from a biblical standpoint, canonizing someone like Carlo does not honor Christ; it confuses the truth. It risks creating spiritual celebrities who become the focus of people’s prayers, affections, and even worship. And over time, this misplaced reverence can drift into idolatry, subtly replacing Christ with those who merely claimed to serve Him.

We must be careful. It’s one thing to learn from history, to reflect on the lives of those who’ve gone before us. But no person should ever become the centerpiece of our faith. That place belongs to Jesus, and Jesus alone.

Let’s not be drawn in by emotional stories or cultural momentum. Let us instead hold fast to the truth, guarding our hearts from spiritual flattery or deception, and keeping our eyes firmly fixed on the One who saves, not those who claimed to speak in His name.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21).

Digital Platforms and the Battle for Truth

We live in a time when messages travel faster than ever. A simple post, video, or website can reach thousands—sometimes millions—in just minutes. That kind of reach is both a tremendous opportunity and a serious responsibility, especially when it comes to sharing what we believe about God.

In recent years, there’s been growing interest in how faith is communicated online. Social media, YouTube, podcasts, and websites are all tools that can be used for good or misused to spread confusion. So, when someone becomes well-known for using digital platforms to promote religious teaching, it’s natural for people to take notice.

But as believers who are grounded in Scripture, we need to be discerning, not just about the message’s medium, but especially about its content. Not everything labeled “Christian” actually reflects the Gospel of Christ. In fact, many well-meaning efforts, like those promoted by Carlo Acutis, are centered on ideas and doctrines that lead people away from the truth—like the veneration of the Eucharist, the invocation of saints, and sacramental systems that distort salvation by grace through faith alone.

That’s why it’s not enough to admire the effort or applaud the innovation. What ultimately matters is whether the message aligns with the Word of God. As Paul warned Timothy, there will always be those who have a “form of godliness” but deny the power of true, biblical faith (2 Timothy 3:5).

That said, the digital age still presents a unique opportunity for those of us who do know the truth. The same internet that spreads false doctrine can also be used to proclaim the Gospel clearly, boldly, and compassionately. There are teenagers out there right now who could build websites, create content, and write posts that point people not to religious rituals, but to the finished work of Jesus Christ. And there are everyday believers—young and old—who can use their online presence to lovingly engage a world full of questions, confusion, and spiritual hunger.

So instead of following the world’s influencers or adopting models that promote error, let’s raise up a new kind of digital witness: humble, Bible-saturated, Christ-exalting believers who care more about truth than trend, and more about faithfulness than fame.

The tools are in our hands. The question is: Will we use them to glorify Christ and spread His Gospel or to echo voices that are already leading people astray?

Holding Fast to the Truth in a Confused Age

As this canonization gains attention around the world—especially among younger generations—it’s important for us as Bible-believing Christians to step back and respond not with anger or indifference, but with truth and grace.

Carlo Acutis’s story is moving to many, but emotional stories don’t make something theologically sound. Behind the headlines and celebrations lies a deeper issue: the promotion of a gospel that is not the Gospel. Despite his sincerity, Carlo devoted himself to teachings that stand in direct contradiction to the Word of God and the finished work of Christ.

We must never forget that sincerity is not the same as truth. A message can be heartfelt and still be spiritually dangerous if it distorts the person and work of Jesus Christ. That’s why we reject not only the practice of canonization, but also the theological framework that exalts human devotion above divine revelation.

But this moment also gives us an opportunity to reflect on something more personal.

In a world full of spiritual noise—religious celebrity, emotional appeal, and doctrinal confusion—God calls us to be anchored. Not to traditions. Not to personalities. Not to impressive legacies. But to Christ alone.

“Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“That no flesh should glory in his presence… He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29, 31).

So, what should we take away?

• Let’s remember that true holiness doesn’t come from mysticism or miracles, but from knowing Christ through His Word.
• Let’s be wise stewards of the tools we’ve been given—whether online or in daily life—so we can make the true Gospel known clearly and compassionately.
• And above all, let’s keep Jesus at the center of our worship, our message, and our hope.

We don’t serve Him to earn recognition or sainthood. We serve because we already are saints, washed by the blood of the Lamb, set apart by grace, and called to live for His glory.

May we be found faithful.