The future of the relics of Carlo Acutis after his canonization

Cruz.croce, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Following the historic canonization of Carlo Acutis—the Catholic Church's first millennial saint—on September 7, 2025, a growing devotion to his reliquaries, with particular attention to his heart and personal fragments, has spread beyond churches and borders, sparking debates and reactions on social media.

A heart to venerate

Acutis's body remains exposed in a glass tomb in the Sanctuary of the Spoiling in Assisi. His heart was removed and placed in a gilded reliquary in the Cathedral of San Rufino, as a first-class relic for public veneration. Other fragments—such as locks of hair, pieces of clothing, or the pericardium—have also been distributed as relics around the world.

Pilgrimages on the rise

Recognition as a saint has drawn crowds: more than a million faithful visited Assisi to venerate her remains in the past year, and many Catholic institutions have received relics, even for temporary displays. For example, a Franciscan school in Ohio received locks of her hair as part of a sacramental display.

The digital market controversy

The fervor wasn't limited to temples. On platforms like Etsy and other online sales sites, purported relics were offered for high prices (between $2,000 and $4,000), including locks of hair and images with fragments claimed to be authentic.

The Diocese of Assisi filed a formal complaint with the Perugia prosecutor's office after identifying fraudulent sales, launching an investigation into the improper trade of sacred relics. Church authorities have described this practice as a "sin" and a detriment to the faith, emphasizing that the sale of relics is prohibited by canon law.

The spiritual message

The Church emphasizes that Acutis, who died in 2006 at the age of 15 from leukemia and was canonized after confirming two miracles, represents a bridge between digital youth and the inherited faith. His technological legacy—such as his website on Eucharistic miracles in multiple languages—has made him a reference for new generations.

The Church is seeking to protect its image and legacy, ensuring that actions such as the illicit sale of relics do not distort its spiritual message.

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Sources:

• Infobae