Statue honouring devout teenager has been unveiled at Tipperary church

A new statue honouring a beatified teenager who was devout as well as being a computer whiz kid and fan of computer games and football has been unveiled at Holy Family Church, Ardfinnan, Co Tipperary. It was installed the same week as Pope Francis declared that Blessed Carlo will be Canonised as Saint Carlo at a Mass in the Vatican on April 27 2025.

The statue of Blessed Carlo Acutis was donated and commissioned to celebrate the upcoming Holy Year of 2025, and in preparation of the Parish Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi in the Spring, where parishioners will go to a visit the tomb of the soon to be saint.

Carlo was born in Fulham, London on May 3 1991. His Italian family moved to Milan and later he was an amateur website designer with a deep faith, especially in the Eucharist and the Rosary.

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Carlo sadly died on October 12 2006 aged just 15 after suffering from leukaemia. Carlo was beatified on October 10, 2020 after the Vatican claims he interceded from heaven in 2013 to cure a Brazilian boy suffering from a rare pancreatic disease.

The beatification ceremony took place in Assisi, the home of his idol Saint Francis, who dedicated his life to the poor, and where Carlos body now lies in repose in veneration of many pilgrims.

Parish Priest of Ardfinnan, Fr Michael Toomey said: “Carlo is a powerful example of faith for young people. Having his statue here in our parish encourages young people to come to the church to pray and it makes the church place to pray for young people.”

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