The two saints that the 21st century gave us

The saints lived in the love of Christ and knew how to trust Him for small and great things. Over the centuries, the Church has canonized thousands of saints. But only two, for the moment, have known the 21st century: John Paul II (1920 – 2005) and Carlo Acutis (1991 – 2006), whose date of canonization should be known this Monday, July 1st. Two figures, two models who have so much to say and bring to Catholics.

“Do not be afraid! Open, open wide the doors to Christ! Open to his saving power the borders of states, the economic and political systems, the immense domains of culture, civilization, and development. Do not be afraid!” On October 22, 1978, in front of a crowded St. Peter’s Square, the new Pope John Paul II delivered a speech that will remain etched in our memories. More than forty years later, this injunction still resonates throughout the world. The strength and accuracy of St. John Paul’s words came to him in particular from his own experiences, having grown up in Poland and having suffered the full brunt of the Cold War. Even before the beginning of his pontificate, Karol Wojtyla’s actions were decisive in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. The first Pope to visit Cuba, St. John Paul II would travel to 130 countries in 27 years on the throne of St. Peter. Finally, Saint John Paul II is without a doubt the Pope of youth, whom he never failed to greet on each of his trips. It is to him that we owe the creation of the World Youth Days, which bring together tens of thousands of young people from all continents every three or four years.

Two faces of the Church

The canonization of Saint John Paul II in 2014 was an event that left a lasting mark on people’s minds because it was so unique. It was in the presence of the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI that Francis had canonized John Paul II and John XXIII, on a day presented by some media as “the day of the four popes”. More than 800,000 people invaded Saint-Pierre Square to witness the historic moment of this double canonization. “John XXIII was a great prophet and the initiator of the Council, John Paul II was the one who put it into practice and developed it. They are truly two pillars not only of Christian culture, but of Christian holiness,” Pope Francis explained at the time of the canonization.

It was only at the end of May 2024 that the announcement of the upcoming canonization of Carlo Acutis was announced by the Vatican with the attribution of a second miracle to his intercession. Affectionately nicknamed “the patron saint of geeks”, Carlo Acutis is probably the first young person of the 21st century cited in an apostolic exhortation (Christus Vivit, by Pope Francis, editor’s note). He was born on May 3, 1991 in London, before moving with his family to Milan. As a child, Carlo Acutis very quickly felt the need to place his happiness in God alone. When he was only 5 years old, he was surprised by his babysitter folding his hands to consecrate himself to the Virgin Mary. Two years later, on June 16, 1998, he made his first communion and then made the decision to go to mass every day. He is passionate about the Eucharist. “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” he said. He does not hesitate to testify to his relationship with God through very impactful sentences. His fierce fidelity to Mass, Eucharistic adoration and daily recitation of the rosary became his only reason for living.

In October 2006, he suddenly fell ill. What was thought to be a bad case of flu was in reality a fulminating leukemia that could not be cured. He decided to offer all his suffering to the Pope and for the Church. He died on October 12, at the age of 15. Before dying, he had predicted to his mother, Antonia Salzano, that he would give her many signs and that she would be a mother again. In 2010, she gave birth to twins, Michele and Francesca.