Church recognized its first gaming-devoted saint, known for his affection for the game Halo

In a historic ceremony held on September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV declared Carlos Acutis, a 15-year-old London-born, Milan-raised video game enthusiast, as a saint. The ceremony took place on St. Peter's Square (Petersplatz) in Vatican City.

Born in 1991, Carlos Acutis spent his life in Milan, where he developed a passion for video games, particularly Halo, Mario, and Pokémon. His love for gaming was not just a pastime; it was a part of his unique journey towards holiness.

Carlos's path to sainthood was remarkably swift. Just five years after his death due to leukaemia in 2006, the campaign to have him canonized began in 2012. The process was expedited following a miracle involving a Brazilian boy with a pancreatic defect, for which Carlos was credited. In 2020, he was first beatified, and later that year, he was officially declared "Blessed."

From the age of nine, Carlos dedicated his time to helping the homeless. His compassionate spirit extended beyond his local community, as he created a popular website documenting miracles from around the world. His mother, Antonia Salzano, told CNN that holiness is possible in the modern time, and Carlos's life serves as a testament to that belief.

Carlos Acutis, affectionately known as "God's influencer," was a prolific video game enthusiast. His love for gaming was not lost on those who knew him. Rich Stanton, a games journalist with 15 years of experience, expressed his admiration for Carlos playing video games on old Nintendo consoles. Stanton, author of the acclaimed book "A Brief History of Video Games," described the book as a "must-read for serious-minded game historians and curious video game connoisseurs alike."

Following his canonization, the Catholic Church will remember Acutis annually on a feast day. Parishes and schools can be named after him, further cementing his legacy as a modern saint who found holiness amidst the pixels and digital worlds of video games. His tomb in Assisi is now a pilgrimage site, drawing visitors from around the world seeking inspiration and guidance from this remarkable young man.