Carlo Acutis canonization postponed
The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed due to the death of Pope Francis on April 21, according to the Vatican Press Office.
The office released the following statement on Monday: “Following the death of the Supreme Pontiff Francis, it is announced that the Eucharistic Celebration and the Rite of canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled to take place on 27 April 2025, Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Teenagers, is suspended.”
The canonization Mass will now instead become the second of nine memorial Masses to be celebrated over the “novendiali” (nine days) for the deceased pope, beginning with his funeral Mass on Saturday.
Carlo Acutis’ canonization was scheduled to take place during the Jubilee of Teenagers, scheduled for April 25-27. That event is expected to draw more than 80,000 teens to Rome from across the world. An associated concert previously scheduled to take place at the Circus Maximus on April 26, the day of the Pope’s funeral, has been cancelled. According to the Vatican’s Office of Evangelization other Jubilee activities will continue as planned – though they will clearly take on a special resonance as those participating say goodbye to the Holy Father.
Pope Francis approved the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to become a saint, in May 2024. A new date for the canonization will not be set until a new pope has been elected. Three upcoming beatification ceremonies have likewise been postponed. See this article by Philip Kosloski for more details.
