Pope Leo Declares Two New Saints, Including First Canonized Millennial

Pope Leo Declares Two New Saints, Including First Canonized Millennial
Above: Pope Leo declares Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati saints on Sept. 7, 2025. Image copyright: Maria Grazia Picciarella/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

The Church desperately needs contemporary role models who can connect with young people in the digital age, so it was all too convenient to back the marketing campaign of the Acutis, who have the wealth and connections to carry out such a marketing campaign. That the Church's miracle-judging panel isn't an independent body and that its starting point is that miracles do happen only encourages further questioning.

Narrative B

Acutis and Frassati have authentic holiness that transcends any marketing campaign, exemplifying a masculinity rooted in service and compassion and offering hope in a world where toxic influences dominate social media and young men struggle with purpose. The speed of their canonizations reflects genuine popular devotion and the Church's recognition of saints who lived extraordinary lives of faith and charity.

Metaculus Prediction


Public Figures


Articles on this story



© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.15.2

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.15.2