Pope Leo XIV canonized two young Italians, Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, urging young people to direct their lives toward God and transform them into “masterpieces.”
Newsroom (08/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV canonized two young Italians, Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, as saints before a crowd of over 80,000 faithful on Sunday, September 7, 2025. In a stirring homily, the Pope called on young people to emulate the new saints’ examples of holiness, service, and joy, urging them to direct their lives toward God and transform them into “masterpieces.”
Presiding over the Mass and canonization ceremony, Pope Leo XIV hailed Frassati and Acutis as extraordinary witnesses to faith and trust in God’s plan for eternal joy. The declaration of their sainthood, marked by vibrant applause, set the tone for a celebration steeped in hope and inspiration under a clear September sky.
Seeking Wisdom, Embracing God’s Plan
Reflecting on the day’s readings, the Pope drew parallels between the new saints and King Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom, as described in the Book of Wisdom. He noted that both Frassati and Acutis sought divine guidance to understand and follow God’s will, using their talents to draw others closer to faith through their actions and example.
Citing the Gospel, Pope Leo emphasized Jesus’ call to commit wholeheartedly to God’s plan, describing it as an “adventure” fueled by the Holy Spirit’s strength. He highlighted the courageous choices of saints throughout history, including Saint Francis of Assisi, who abandoned wealth to embrace poverty and love for the marginalized. “Young people often face crossroads and difficult choices,” the Pope observed, encouraging them to say “yes” to God, as Frassati and Acutis did, surrendering fully to His call.
Pier Giorgio Frassati: A Beacon for Lay Spirituality
The Pope described Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian of the early 20th century, as a model for lay spirituality. Frassati’s involvement in Catholic associations and dedication to serving the poor demonstrated that faith is not a private matter but a communal commitment. “His life is a beacon for lay spirituality,” Pope Leo said, praising Frassati’s engagement in political life and service as an example for today’s faithful to follow.
Carlo Acutis: Holiness in Everyday Life
Turning to Saint Carlo Acutis, a teenager of the modern era, the Pope highlighted his ability to weave faith seamlessly into daily life. Acutis, whose parents, Andrea and Antonia, attended the ceremony with his siblings, Francesca and Michele, encountered Jesus through family, school, and parish sacraments. “He grew up naturally integrating prayer, sport, study, and charity,” the Pope noted, emphasizing Acutis’ devotion to daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration as cornerstones of his holiness.
Lives of Charity, Cut Short but Enduring
Both saints, the Pope said, cultivated love for God and neighbor through simple acts of charity, even as illness claimed their lives prematurely. Frassati, who died at 24, once declared, “The day of my death will be the most beautiful day of my life.” Similarly, Acutis, who passed at 15, often said, “Heaven has always been waiting for us, and to love tomorrow is to give the best of our fruit today.” Their unwavering hope, even in suffering, continues to inspire, the Pope added.
A Call to Youth: Make Masterpieces of Your Lives
In his closing remarks, Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful, particularly young people, to draw inspiration from Frassati and Acutis. “They invite us not to squander our lives but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces,” he said. Quoting Acutis’ mantra, “Not I, but God,” and Frassati’s belief that placing God at the center leads to fulfillment, the Pope presented their lives as a “simple but winning formula” for holiness.
The canonization of Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, the Pope concluded, is a call to all to live with purpose, joy, and faith, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life. As the crowd erupted in applause, the message resonated: holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary but is achievable through ordinary lives devoted to God and others.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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