Theft of St. Carlo Acutis Relic Sparks Concern: A Call for its Recovery and Return
Pilgrims gathered at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican to witness the canonization Mass of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. A relic of Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, was reported stolen from a parish in western Venezuela. The relic, a small piece of cloth, went missing just two days after Acutis was declared a saint by Pope Leo XIV. The disappearance was confirmed by the coordinator of the San Carlo Acutis Youth Group, who expressed hope that the relic would be found due to its significant spiritual value.
The relic, considered a third-degree relic, was housed in a glass reliquary and is believed to have been touched by the saint. The youth group coordinator mentioned that there is currently no information about the whereabouts of the stolen relic and emphasized the importance of its return. The Catholic Church has previously condemned the online sale of relics associated with Carlo Acutis.
Carlo Acutis, known as "God's Influencer," was recognized for using technology to spread the faith and is seen as a role model for young Catholics. He was born in London in 1991 and later moved to Milan, Italy, with his family. Acutis was declared venerable in 2018 and blessed in 2020 after a miraculous healing was attributed to his intercession. His canonization took place during an open-air Mass in St. Peter's Square, attended by thousands of people.
The Venezuelan youth group had requested the relic when Acutis was declared blessed, a step before sainthood. The disappearance of the relic, which holds great spiritual significance, is currently under investigation by the local authorities. Despite the theft, the faithful remain hopeful that the relic will be recovered and returned to its rightful place.