Canonisation Of Blessed Carlo Acutis Postponed Following Death Of Pope Francis

carlo acutis canonization postponed 2025 — Dobroš, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Originally Scheduled for Sunday, 27 April 2025, the Ceremony Will Be Rescheduled by the Next Pontiff

The highly anticipated canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis — set to take place this Sunday, 27 April 2025 — has been officially postponed following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, 21 April. The Vatican made the announcement late Monday morning, confirming that all major liturgical events requiring papal presence have been suspended until a new pope is elected.

The young Italian tech prodigy, dubbed the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist,” was expected to become the first millennial saint in the history of the Catholic Church. His canonisation Mass was to be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, with tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world expected to attend, including youth groups, clergy, and faithful who have been inspired by his life and devotion.

However, the passing of Pope Francis has initiated the traditional period of mourning, known as the novemdiales, and the preparations for the conclave that will elect his successor. Canon law dictates that canonisations must be presided over by a reigning pope, and as such, the ceremony cannot move forward until a new pontiff is in place.

A Life That Touched the World

Blessed Carlo Acutis was born in London in 1991 to Italian parents but spent most of his life in Milan. From a young age, Carlo displayed a profound love for the Eucharist, attending daily Mass, praying the Rosary, and living out his faith with joyful simplicity. At just 11 years old, he began creating a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world — a digital evangelisation effort that continues to inspire thousands.

He died in 2006 from acute leukaemia at the age of 15, offering his suffering for the pope and the Church. His beatification took place in Assisi in 2020 after the miraculous healing of a young Brazilian boy with a pancreatic disorder was attributed to his intercession. In 2024, a second miracle — the recovery of a Costa Rican student from a life-threatening head injury — was officially recognised by the Vatican, paving the way for his canonisation.

The Postponement and What Happens Next

The Vatican Secretariat of State released a short statement on Monday evening:

“The canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled for 27 April 2025, is to be postponed in light of the Holy Father’s passing. A new date will be set once the next pope is elected and assumes his pastoral duties.”

No official replacement date has been proposed, but Vatican sources indicate that the event will likely be rescheduled later in 2025 or early 2026.

Despite the delay, the Jubilee of Youth, scheduled as part of the Holy Year celebrations and originally meant to coincide with Carlo’s canonisation, will proceed as planned. Vatican officials said the Jubilee events will now include prayers and tributes honouring both the late Pope Francis and Blessed Carlo.

A Time of Prayer and Reflection

Many Catholics are responding to the delay not with disappointment, but with deepened prayer and trust in God’s timing. Fr. Antonio Rinaldi, a priest from Milan who knew Carlo personally, said:

“Carlo’s life was always marked by waiting with joyful hope. He would say, ‘What does it matter to win a thousand battles if you cannot win the battle against yourself?’ Perhaps this delay is a providential opportunity for us all to pause, reflect, and deepen our own readiness to follow Christ as he did.”

The faithful are encouraged to continue praying for Blessed Carlo’s intercession — especially on Sunday, the day his canonisation was meant to take place. Many dioceses around the world have announced they will hold special Masses and Eucharistic adoration in honour of his life.