The Vatican said the canonization of the first saint of the millennium, Carlo Acutis, has been postponed due to the death of Pope Francis.
The canonization ceremony for Acutis was planned to take place in St. Peter's Square next Sunday, to coincide with the anniversary celebration for young people.
In the months leading up to his expected canonization, the faithful flocked to Assisi, where his body lay in state in his tomb, dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt and sneakers.
He died in 2006 in northern Italy at the age of 15 after a short bout with leukemia.
The process of his canonization began more than a decade ago at the initiative of a group of priests and friends and officially began shortly after Pope Francis took office in 2013.
In 2018, Acutis was given the title of “venerable” after the church recognized his virtuous life, and his body was transferred to the Santuario della Spogliazione sanctuary in Assisi, a significant site associated with the life of St. Francis.
In 2020, he was given the status of “blessed” after the Vatican's dicastery, which examines canonization processes, recognized a miraculous healing through Acutis' intercession – a child in Brazil was healed in a “scientifically inexplicable” way.
Last year, the Church opened his path to sainthood by attributing to him a second miracle – the complete recovery of a Costa Rican student in Italy from a serious head injury in a bicycle accident after her mother prayed at Acutis' tomb.
Acutis used his computer skills to create an online exhibit about more than 100 Eucharistic miracles recognized by the Church over the centuries, with an emphasis on the real presence of Christ that Catholics believe is contained in the consecrated bread and wine. He also taught catechism and provided assistance to the homeless.
The youth mass, expected to attract tens of thousands of worshippers, will still take place.
It is part of the annual Holy Year celebrations begun by Francis in December, which the Vatican says continues, albeit with modifications.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
