Image via Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.

On September 7, 2025, at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV canonized Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, declaring them saints for the universal Church during his first canonization Mass. Tens of thousands gathered for the celebration, including Carlo’s mother and siblings.

What Ashley saw on the ground

Relevant Radio Rome correspondent Ashley Noronha reports from the square the day after the canonization event. She describes a joyful crowd of about 70,000 pilgrims who arrived before dawn. Some camped near the colonnade. Others lined up as early as 3:30 a.m. The atmosphere felt like a family reunion of the Church. Flags waved from Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Ireland, Poland, and more. The night before, young people kept vigil in Eucharistic Adoration in St. Peter’s Basilica.

A first for Pope Leo XIV

Before the solemn rites began, Pope Leo stepped to the microphone and greeted the people. He reminded everyone that all are called to be saints. Then came the moment the Church had awaited. The decree was read. The Holy Father announced that Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati are now saints of the Catholic Church.

St. Carlo Acutis: “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven”

St. Carlo’s witness reminds us of the importance of the Real Presence and time we need to spend before the tabernacle. He taught that the Eucharist is the fastest road to holiness. Let's never forget this reality!

Ashley shares a really touching family moment. Carlo’s mother Antonia was present with the twins, Michele and Francesca, who were born years after Carlo’s death. Michele proclaimed the first reading from the Book of Wisdom. For many, this was the first time seeing the siblings at a major public liturgy.

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati: charity, mountains, and “Verso l’alto”

St. Frassati’s friends called him a soul of prayer and service to the poor. He climbed mountains with a pickaxe and a rosary, and he brought friends to daily Mass. 

What the Pope preached

Ashley gives us several takeaways from the homily and papal remarks:

-Love Jesus first. Both saints kept a daily friendship with Christ.

-Stay close to Our Lady and the saints.

-Practice generous charity. Illness and trials did not stop them.

-The Pope called life with God an adventure that asks for a whole-hearted yes.

A mother’s word to the Church

After the Mass, St. Carlo’s mother spoke with pilgrims. She repeated Carlo’s invitation to choose the Eucharist first. Her simple question became the day’s marching order.

“Make your life a masterpiece”

Ashley and her husband John offered a talk in Rome on the virtues of both saints. The theme fit the Pope’s appeal. Let God write a masterpiece in your ordinary day. Keep the sacraments steady. Serve the poor. Invite friends to pray. Small choices add up.

St. Carlo Acutis teaches that the path stays simple. Go to Mass. Stay for Adoration. Teach children to see and love Jesus present.

St. Pier Giorgio shows that leisure can lift us to virtue. A hike can end in Vespers. A club can become a circle of charity.

Both show that holiness fits real life, not only monastic walls.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Image via Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.
<hr>
On&nbsp;September 7, 2025, at St. Peter&rsquo;s Square, Pope Leo XIV canonized Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, declaring them saints for the universal Church during his first canonization Mass. Tens of thousands gathered for the celebration, including Carlo&rsquo;s mother and siblings.
<hr>
What Ashley saw on the ground
Relevant Radio Rome correspondent Ashley Noronha reports from the square the day after the canonization event. She describes a joyful crowd of about 70,000 pilgrims who arrived before dawn. Some camped near the colonnade. Others lined up as early as 3:30 a.m. The atmosphere felt like a family reunion of the Church. Flags waved from Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Ireland, Poland, and more. The night before, young people kept vigil in Eucharistic Adoration in St. Peter&rsquo;s Basilica.
<hr>
A first for Pope Leo XIV
Before the solemn rites began, Pope Leo stepped to the microphone and greeted the people. He reminded everyone that all are called to be saints. Then came the moment the Church had awaited. The decree was read. The Holy Father announced that Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati are now saints of the Catholic Church.
<hr>
St. Carlo Acutis: &ldquo;The Eucharist is my highway to heaven&rdquo;
St. Carlo&rsquo;s witness reminds us of the importance of the Real Presence and time we need to spend before the tabernacle. He taught that the&nbsp;Eucharist is the fastest road to holiness. Let's never forget this reality!
Ashley shares a really touching family moment. Carlo&rsquo;s mother Antonia was present with the twins, Michele and Francesca, who were born years after Carlo&rsquo;s death. Michele proclaimed the first reading from the Book of Wisdom. For many, this was the first time seeing the siblings at a major public liturgy.
<hr>
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati: charity, mountains, and &ldquo;Verso l&rsquo;alto&rdquo;
St. Frassati&rsquo;s friends called him a soul of&nbsp;prayer and service to the poor. He climbed mountains with a pickaxe and a rosary, and he brought friends to daily Mass.&nbsp;
<hr>
What the Pope preached
Ashley gives us several takeaways from the homily and papal remarks:
-Love Jesus first. Both saints kept a daily friendship with Christ.
-Stay close to Our Lady and the saints.
-Practice generous charity. Illness and trials did not stop them.
-The Pope called life with God an adventure that asks for a whole-hearted yes.
<hr>
A mother&rsquo;s word to the Church
After the Mass, St. Carlo&rsquo;s mother spoke with pilgrims. She repeated Carlo&rsquo;s invitation to choose the&nbsp;Eucharist first.&nbsp;Her simple question became the day&rsquo;s marching order.
<hr>
&ldquo;Make your life a masterpiece&rdquo;
Ashley and her husband John offered a talk in Rome on the virtues of both saints. The theme fit the Pope&rsquo;s appeal. Let God write a masterpiece in your ordinary day. Keep the sacraments steady. Serve the poor. Invite friends to pray. Small choices add up.
<hr>
St. Carlo Acutis teaches that the path stays simple.&nbsp;Go to Mass. Stay for Adoration. Teach children to see and love Jesus present.
St. Pier Giorgio shows that leisure can lift us to virtue. A hike can end in Vespers. A club can become a circle of charity.
Both show that holiness fits real life, not only monastic walls.
<hr>
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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