Following St. Francis of Assisi, bishops are called to be close to the people in their dioceses, Pope Leo XIV told the bishops of Italy.
Assisi
God’s Influencer: The Life and Times of St. Carlo Acutis
On Sept. 7, 2025, the Catholic Church canonized its first millennial saint: Carlo Acutis. The 15-year-old from Milan, Italy was a computer enthusiast who used his tech skills to create websites documenting Eucharistic miracles and Catholic saints until his death from leukemia in 2006 at age 15.
St. Carlo Acutis: The Road To History
Carlo Acutis, a teenager known for his deep love of the Eucharist and his creative use of technology to share the faith, began his journey toward sainthood shortly after he died in 2006. Here, we trace the key milestones that led to his recognition as the first Millennial saint of the Catholic Church on Sept. 7.
Help the Poor and the Planet, Pope Tells Young Economists, Entrepreneurs
Acknowledging how young people have been given a world marked by inequality, injustice, war and environmental degradation, Pope Francis urged those looking for solutions to be concrete, to involve the poor, to care for the Earth and to create jobs.
Pope Francis To Visit Assisi, Matera in September
Pope Francis will make back-to-back pastoral visits to the Italian cities of Assisi and Matera at the end of September, the Vatican announced.
Assisi Pilgrimage With the Poor: Pope Calls for Open Hands, Open Hearts
With a pilgrim’s staff and mantle, Pope Francis entered Assisi’s Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels with 500 economically or socially disadvantaged people and the volunteers who walk alongside them. The pontiff’s pilgrimage to Assisi Nov. 12 was dedicated totally to the poor in preparation for the celebration Nov. 14 of the World Day of the Poor.
Beatified Teen Showed That Heaven Is ‘Attainable Goal,’ Cardinal Says
Thousands sang and applauded as Italian teen Carlo Acutis was beatified in a town dear to him and to many Christians around the world: Assisi.
Teen Was ‘Influencer for God,’ Mother Says on Eve of Son’s Beatification
In early October along the pristine medieval streets of Assisi, a city ubiquitous with references to St. Francis, posters bore the image of a different modern saint-in-the-making: Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian tech whiz.
Pope Francis Visits Assisi to Sign new Encyclical in First Trip Since COVID-19
In his first trip outside Rome since the coronavirus pandemic began, Pope Francis celebrated Mass Saturday at the tomb of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, and signed his new encyclical on human fraternity.