- 07 September, 2025
Vatican City, September 7, 2025 – Tens of thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday as Pope Leo presided over the Mass and canonisation of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis. The Pope said the two young saints call everyone, especially the youth, to look towards God and make their lives “masterpieces of holiness, service, and joy.”
On a radiant late summer morning, Pope Leo declared the young Italians saints at the start of the celebration, paying tribute to their extraordinary witness to faith, hope, and trust in God, and highlighting their lives as signs of the Lord’s eternal plan for joy and happiness.
Wisdom and courage in faith
Reflecting on the readings, the Pope recalled how both men, like King Solomon, sought wisdom to follow God’s plan. He emphasised that they used their gifts to inspire others through words, actions, and example. In the Gospel, Jesus’ call to commit fully to God reminded the Pope of saints such as Francis of Assisi, who abandoned wealth and privilege to embrace holiness and serve others.
Saying “yes” to God
Pope Leo noted that saints across history have made courageous choices in their youth, offering their “yes” to God without reservation. He recalled Saint Augustine’s conversion, when a voice within called him to surrender completely to the Lord. Similarly, Frassati and Acutis devoted themselves fully, allowing God to shape their lives into testimonies of hope and love.
Pier Giorgio Frassati: a beacon for lay spirituality
Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian of the early 20th century, actively participated in Catholic associations and served the poor. The Pope said his life remains a “beacon for lay spirituality,” showing that faith is not private but flourishes in community, political engagement, and generous service to others.
Carlo Acutis: holiness in simplicity
Carlo Acutis, a teenager of the early 21st century, encountered Jesus through his family, parish, and school. Pope Leo highlighted the presence of Carlo’s parents, Andrea and Antonia, and siblings, Francesca and Michele, at the celebration. Carlo integrated prayer, sport, study, and charity into daily life, demonstrating that holiness can be lived simply and naturally.
Love for God and neighbour
Daily Mass, prayer, and Eucharistic Adoration shaped both saints’ lives, nurturing their love for God and neighbour. Even as illness cut their lives short, they bore witness to hope. The Pope recalled Frassati’s words: “The day of my death will be the most beautiful day of my life,” and Carlo’s belief that “heaven has always been waiting for us.”
Masterpieces of life
Concluding his homily, Pope Leo urged the faithful to follow their example, lifting their lives towards God rather than squandering them. He cited Carlo’s motto, “Not I, but God,” and Frassati’s conviction, “If you have God at the centre of all your actions, then you will reach the end.”
“This,” the Pope said, “is the simple but powerful formula of holiness, inviting us to enjoy life fully and meet the Lord in the feast of heaven.”
Courtesy: Vatican News
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