There are quite a few young saints recognized by the Catholic Church, but, until now, all of them died more than a century ago. That changed with an announcement in May 2024 from Pope Francis: Carlo Acutis was to become the first millennial saint. Born in London in 1991 and raised in Italy, Acutis was a tech-savvy teenager who used his digital skills to spread the Catholic faith. He died of leukemia in 2006 at just 15 years old, and requested to be buried in Assisi in tribute to St. Francis. Since then, thousands have visited his tomb, many convinced of his blessed status. After the Church confirmed two miracles attributed to him, Pope Leo XIV scheduled his canonization for September 7, 2025, alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died in 1925 at age 24.
While Acutis’ life was short and peaceful, many young saints met truly harrowing ends. The Church has a long history of canonizing children and teens, some of whom were martyrs, others who endured deep suffering. In this gallery, you’ll discover the youngest saints in Catholic history, and the remarkable stories behind their sanctity. Click on to learn all about them.