Mother's Heartfelt Pride as Son Nears Sainthood Through Love for Video Games
A mother shares her profound happiness as her Italian teenage son, on the path to becoming the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, is celebrated for his passion for video games. Gain a glimpse into the life of her beloved son and the joy that fills her heart.
The mother of a teenage boy from Italy, who is on track to become the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church, recently shared her happiness. She described her son as a regular boy who loved playing video games and caring for pets.
Carlo Acutis, known as "God's Influencer" for his ability to use technology to spread the Catholic Church's message, passed away from leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15.
A second miracle attributed to Acutis has been recognized by Pope Francis, allowing him to be considered for sainthood. It is customary for candidates to have two miracles attributed to them before they can be officially canonized.
In an interview with CNN, Acutis' mother, Antonia Salzano, expressed her happiness upon hearing the news of the approval of the second miracle. She described her son Carlo as a symbol of hope, demonstrating that holiness is achievable in the present day.
"As I did: you too can become holy," she said. Despite the influence of media and technology, it may seem like holiness is a concept of the past. However, it is important to remember that holiness is still relevant in today's modern world. 
Carlo Acutis died in 2006 aged 15.
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Her son received a PlayStation at the age of eight, but he made sure to only play for one hour per week. He was cautious about the addictive nature of gaming and aware of the risks associated with the internet. In addition to his interest in computers and gaming, Carlo also played the saxophone, enjoyed soccer, adored animals, and liked to create funny videos of his dogs.
According to Ms. Salzano, her son used his computer skills not for personal gain or fame, but to share the message of Jesus Christ and assist others. She described him as a joyful individual who found fulfillment in helping people.
The soon-to-be-saint was not afraid to be different, even though he shared similar interests with other kids.
At the age of nine, he spent time in Milan helping the homeless and giving his pocket money to those sleeping on the streets. His mother shared that he chose to have only one pair of shoes so he could save money to help the poor.
He was not afraid to stand up for victims of bullying and resist peer pressure. According to Nicola Gori, author of ‘Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint’ and the postulator of his sainthood cause, Acutis once defended a girl from India who was targeted for wearing a sari. He was known at school for his cheerfulness, energy, and generosity. Acutis was devoted to Saint Francis, who is known for poverty, humility, and care for creation, and is also the pope’s namesake.
Paolo Rodari, an Italian journalist who co-authored a book about Acutis with Ms. Salzano, told CNN that Acutis was a “normal guy” who served others, including the many needy people who slept on the streets of Milan. He gave everything he had to help them.
Acutis fell ill in early 2006 and was later diagnosed with Leukemia. He passed away on October 12. Two days after his death, a large crowd gathered at his funeral, including many immigrants to Italy and people from different religions. Devotion to Carlo started spreading worldwide, and his story was embraced by various Catholic youth groups.
Ms. Salzano is hopeful that the canonization will take place either later this year or next year.
Editor's P/S:
The story of Carlo Acutis is both inspiring and heartwarming. It shows that holiness is not something that is reserved for the distant past or for those who live in cloistered environments. Rather, it is something that can be achieved by ordinary people, even in the midst of the modern world.
Carlo's life was marked by his love for God, his compassion for others, and his courage in standing up for what he believed in. He used his talents and interests to spread the Gospel message and to help those in need. His example shows us that we can all make a difference in the world, no matter how young or insignificant we may feel.
