‘Computer genius’ could become saint; who was Carlo Acutis

ASSISI, Italy — A 15-year-old is a step closer to becoming a saint.

Carlo Acutis died of leukemia in 2006.

Before his death, Acutis used technology to build a website looking at the history of Eucharistic miracles. The site is used by more than 10,000 parishes across the globe, according to the Vatican, CNN reported.

“Carlo used the internet in service of the Gospel, to reach as many people as possible," Cardinal Agostino Vallini said in his homily, The Associated Press reported.

As an elementary school student, he taught himself coding, editing videos and creating animation.

He’s unofficially called the “patron saint of the internet,” the AP reported.

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Acutis was called to religion when he was young, despite his mother not being devout saying, “three times... in her life,” the Vatican said, according to CNN.

He started receiving Holy Communion at the age of 7, earlier than what is normally allowed in the church, the AP reported.

He was beatified in a ceremony in Assisi, Italy, after being credited with the miracle of curing a Brazilian boy of a rare disease. The child was cured through intercession, CNN reported.

The child, who had a rare pancreatic disorder, came into contact with a piece of a T-shirt Acutis owned, the AP reported.

It is believed that Acutis is the youngest contemporary person beatified. He was born in London and moved to Milan, Italy. The ceremony was held at the Basilica of Sant Francis of Assisi, in the town where he is buried, the AP reported.

Another miracle is needed for canonization to become a saint, but that requirement has been waived by Pope Francis in the past.

Acutis' mother believes he had performed a miracle before her son’s death.

“I was sure he was already a saint while alive. He healed a woman from cancer, praying to the Madonna of Pompeii,” she said, according to the AP.

Cox Media Group