The canonization of Carlo Acutis on September 7, 2025, by Pope Leon XIV marks a historic moment for the Catholic Church. Dubbed the first millennial saint, Carlo has drawn worldwide attention, not only for his short but devout life, but also for the claims of miracles attributed to his intercession and the public display of his body in Assisi, Italy.
While millions of faithful celebrate, questions arise:
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How does this align with the Word of God?
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Does the Bible support praying to the dead or venerating their remains?
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Are these miracles truly from God—or could they be misunderstood or even deceptive?
This article takes a deep, biblical, and theological look at Carlo Acutis, exploring whether this phenomenon honors the Creator or risks crossing into idolatry, using Scripture as the final authority.
1. Who Was Carlo Acutis?
Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) was an Italian teenager passionate about technology and the Catholic faith. Known for creating a website documenting Eucharistic miracles, he became a role model for young Catholics worldwide. After his death at age 15 from leukemia, stories of extraordinary events and healings began to circulate.
When his body was exhumed in 2019, many claimed it was “incorruptible”—a sign of divine favor. However, the Diocese of Assisi publicly clarified that Carlo’s body was not naturally incorrupt, explaining that what people see today is a carefully reconstructed presentation with silicone for devotional purposes.
Despite this clarification, the phrase “incorruptible body” continues to trend online, fueling popular devotion and pilgrimage.
Fact Check:The displayed body is not a miraculous preservation, according to official Church statements.
2. The Canonization and Claimed Miracles
For someone to be canonized, the Catholic Church requires verified miracles. In Carlo’s case, two major healings were attributed to his intercession:
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A Brazilian boy healed of a severe pancreatic malformation.
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Another unexplained healing under investigation by the Vatican.
The Church interprets these events as proof that Carlo, now in heaven, can intercede for believers. This forms the foundation for his official title of Saint Carlo Acutis.
But here is the crucial question:
Does the Bible support praying to a deceased person or attributing miracles to their intercession?
3. What the Bible Clearly Teaches
A. Worship and Prayer Belong to God Alone
The first commandment is crystal clear:
“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an image… You shall not bow down to them nor serve them.”
— Exodus 20:3-5
Jesus reaffirmed this in the New Testament:
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”
— Matthew 4:10
Even angels refuse worship:
“Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you… Worship God!”
— Revelation 19:10
Implication:
Prayers, worship, and spiritual trust must be directed only to God, never to human beings—alive or dead.
B. Prohibition Against Consulting the Dead
The Bible strongly condemns attempts to contact or communicate with the dead:
“Let no one be found among you who… consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
— Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God?”
— Isaiah 8:19
Implication:
Asking Carlo—or any deceased person—for help crosses into forbidden spiritual territory, no matter how noble the intention.
C. God Alone Performs Miracles
Throughout Scripture, miracles are acts of God alone, never the result of power from a human soul:
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5
Jesus Himself is the sole mediator.
When the apostles performed miracles, they immediately redirected glory to God, never to themselves (Acts 3:12-16).
Implication:
If a miracle truly occurs, it must be attributed directly to God, not to the “intercession” of a deceased individual.
4. Lessons from Scripture: Bodies and Idolatry
A. God Hid Moses’ Body
When Moses died, God took extraordinary action:
“He buried him in Moab, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.”
— Deuteronomy 34:6
The New Testament reveals even more:
“Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil about the body of Moses…”
— Jude 9
Why such secrecy?
To prevent Israel from turning Moses’ remains into an object of worship. This shows God’s deep concern that His people never fall into idolatry.
B. Honoring Without Worshiping
The Bible records respectful treatment of the remains of godly people:
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Joseph’s bones were carried and buried in the Promised Land (Exodus 13:19).
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Elisha’s bones were used by God in a one-time miracle (2 Kings 13:21).
But in every case, the focus remained on God, not the bones themselves.
Implication:
Caring for remains is biblical, but displaying them for veneration crosses a dangerous line.
5. Applying These Truths to Carlo Acutis
| Practice Today | Biblical Principle |
|---|---|
| Body publicly displayed for veneration | God hid Moses’ body to prevent worship (Deut. 34:6) |
| Prayers directed to Carlo | Forbidden to consult the dead (Deut. 18:10-12; Isa. 8:19) |
| Miracles attributed to his “intercession” | God alone performs miracles (Acts 3:12-16; 1 Tim. 2:5) |
| Global promotion of his name and image | Worship belongs only to God (Ex. 20:3-5; Rom. 1:25) |
Conclusion from the comparison:
While Carlo may have been a faithful follower of Christ, the practices surrounding his body and name today conflict with God’s revealed will.
6. Are the Miracles Authentic?
The Bible warns that not every miracle is from God:
“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
A miracle’s source must be tested by its doctrine and fruit (Matthew 7:15-20).
If the result leads people to pray to Carlo or glorify him instead of Christ, the miracle fails the biblical test, no matter how dramatic it appears.
7. Final Biblical Verdict
After comparing Scripture with current events:
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Carlo’s personal faith:
Carlo may indeed be with the Lord if his trust was fully in Jesus. This is a matter only God knows. -
The cult around him:
The canonization, prayers to Carlo, and promotion of his body do not align with the good and perfect will of God.
They shift glory away from Christ and risk creating a system of human-centered spirituality.
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”
— Isaiah 42:8
In short:
While honoring Carlo’s life and testimony is appropriate, worship, prayer, and miraculous credit must remain solely with God.
Conclusion: Returning to the Creator
The story of Carlo Acutis reveals a timeless truth: humans naturally seek tangible figures to venerate. But Scripture repeatedly calls us back to the invisible, living God.
The question for every believer is simple:
Are we glorifying the Creator, or are we unintentionally glorifying the creature?
Only when our worship, trust, and prayers are centered fully on Jesus Christ can we avoid the subtle trap of idolatry.
