This past weekend, in one of the first significant acts of the new Pope Leo XIV, the Italian-born teenager Carlo Acutis was canonized.

Known for his work in the early days of the internet, he is venerated as a saint for the internet, social media, and young people.

The speed of his canonization, just 20 years after his death, has raised questions. Still, the idea of a saint for young people in today’s world holds symbolic value. But which audiences does Acutis actually appeal to?

The rise of Christfluencers

On platforms shaped by “Christfluencers” – influencers with Christian identities – one often finds right-leaning religious content. These include miracle healings, strict biblicism, rigid sexual morality, and strong devotion to the Sacred Heart or the Eucharist.

Carlo Acutis, often called the “Influencer of God,” shares many of these traits in his online presence. His Eucharistic devotion and knowledge of the Bible are commendable, as is his commitment to engaging young people through the internet.

The dangers of extremes

The problem arises when devotion tips into fundamentalism. In such cases, Christfluencers push extreme religious views.

It seems these groups are also among the strongest promoters of Acutis’s canonization, potentially shaping his image toward a narrow vision of faith.

Liberal skepticism

Among more moderate or liberal young people, the canonization has been met with skepticism and, at times, outright criticism. For those advocating for a more inclusive Church, Acutis risks representing yet another saint tied to a conservative-traditional image of Catholicism.

Young people wrestling with faith because of their sexuality or lack of church background may not see Acutis as an accessible model of holiness.

A role model for compassion

Where Acutis shines, however, is in his personal conduct. He was known for kindness toward classmates and for not misusing digital media. At a time when online bullying is widespread, his example stands out.

His use of technology to uplift others reflects the vision of Gaudium et spes – being there for others as disciples of Christ – and the biblical mission of Jesus himself.

The choice lies ahead

Whether Carlo Acutis becomes a saint only for a conservative lobby or a Christfluencer for all rests in how people interpret and live his legacy.

• Katja Neubauer is a Doctoral Student in Liturgical Studies at the University of Würzburg, Germany. She has Magister in Theology and a Bachelor of Education. She recently presented at the Societas Liturgia Congress in Paris (2025). Katja is a liturgical musician and has published articles in “Gottesdienst”, the publication of the Liturgical Institutes of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.