With the death of Pope Francis, the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, which was scheduled for 27 April, has been postponed.
“Following the death of the Supreme Pontiff Francis, notice is hereby given that the Eucharistic celebration and the rite of the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled for 27 April, 2025, second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Adolescents, is suspended,” the Vatican press office announced 21 April.
The Mass for the Jubilee of Adolescents, however, would still be held, Matteo Bruni, head of the press office told reporters, clarifying that what had been canceled was a Mass for a canonization. The Holy Year and its associated events and Masses would continue, he added. The Jubilee of Adolescents was scheduled for 25-27 April in Rome.
The Dicastery for Evangelisation’s section for new evangelisation, which is organising the Holy Year 2025, shared its sorrow for the death of Pope Francis.
“We join in prayer” for his passing “in unity with all of God’s people and the whole world,” it said in a note released 21 April.
It confirmed the program for the Jubilee of Adolescents has remained mostly the same, including the 26 April pilgrimage to the Holy Door and Mass 27 April in St Peter’s Square.
What has changed, it said, is there will be no canonisation ceremony 27 April, and the “musical celebration” scheduled to be held in Rome’s Circus Maximus 26 April is canceled out of respect for the period of mourning.
Pope Francis had approved the decree for the canonisation of Blessed Acutis 23 May, 2024, and announced the date for his canonisation end of November. He will be the first millennial to become a saint.
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