‘God’s Influencer,’ 15, Set to Become First Millennial Saint on Sunday amid His Family Revealing Their ‘Saintly Roots’

The late Carlo Acutis, often called “God’s influencer,” will be canonized this Sunday.

PEOPLE previously reported that Acutis will become the first millennial saint. He passed away from leukemia at the age of 15 on Oct. 12, 2006, in Monza, Italy.

Before the ceremony at the Vatican on Sept. 7, Acutis’ mother, Antonia Salzano Acutis, shared that her son came from a family with both saints and a famous mathematician, according to The Times.

Antonia said that two nuns in their family were canonized in the 19th and 20th centuries.

From Carlo’s maternal grandfather’s side, Giulia Salzano founded the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus near Naples, Italy. She died in 1929 and was canonized in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, according to The Times.

On his maternal grandmother’s side, Caterina Volpicelli founded the Maids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Naples. She was reportedly canonized a year before her death in 1894.

On his paternal side, Carlo was related to Paolo Ruffini, a famous Italian mathematician. Born in 1765, Ruffini was known for his work in algebra and also worked as a medical doctor.

“We have saintly roots and mathematical roots, and the result was Carlo,” Antonia told The Times.

PEOPLE has contacted the Vatican for further comment.

Carlo was a web designer and active member of the Catholic Church, PEOPLE previously reported. He also used his technology skills to educate others about Eucharistic miracles.

After his death, Carlo’s body was put on display in Assisi, Italy.

In July 2024, it was confirmed that Pope Francis had approved Acutis for sainthood, following the recognition of a second miracle. To be considered for sainthood, a person must have two miracles attributed to them.

Carlo’s first miracle occurred in 2020 when a Brazilian boy was healed after his mother prayed in Carlo’s name, according to CNN.

The second miracle happened in July 2022. A college student named Valeria recovered from “severe head trauma and multiple other injuries after falling from her bicycle,” according to the Vatican. This recovery occurred after her mother, Liliana, prayed to Carlo and visited his tomb in Assisi.

Antonia told The Times that the family helped cover the costs of Carlo’s canonization. She said the process can be expensive because experts are needed to verify the miracles.

“From a person like me, who is nothing, came Carlo. That shows the power of God — it’s a mystery,” Antonia said.

Carlo was originally set to be canonized on April 27, but the death of Pope Francis on April 21 delayed the ceremony to Sept. 7. He will be one of the first people canonized by the new Pope Leo XIV.