About us Log in
Get free sample Search

Sign up to The Day's next CPD webinar on supporting Year 7 wellbeing. Register now!

  • Reading Level 4-5
Society
RE

Gamer becomes first millennial saint

‘God’s influencer’: Carlo Acutis helped to spread Roman Catholic teaching online before his death aged 15 in 2006.

Should we believe in miracles? After Pope Leo canonised a young Catholic teenager on Sunday, some people argued that the idea of sainthood is out of date.

Comprehension quiz

  1. The word “canonised” in this context means:

    A: To be officially declared a saint by the Church

    B: To be buried in a special tomb

    C: To begin the process towards sainthood

    D: To have died from a serious illness

  2. Which word is the closest synonym for “exemplary”?

    A: Ancient

    B: Perfect

    C: Faithful

    D: Famous

  3. According to the article, why does the Catholic Church hope that making Carlo Acutis a saint will appeal to more young people?

    A: Because he travelled to many different cities.

    B: Because he was a Millennial who had ordinary interests like football and the internet.

    C: Because he performed two miracles after his death.

    D: Because a famous biographer wrote a book about him.

  4. According to the text, which of the following is a criticism of the Church’s focus on miracles?

    A: It is too difficult to find proof of two miracles.

    B: It takes too long for the Pope to approve them.

    C: The tradition is superstitious and outdated in a world of medical science.

    D: Young people are not interested in reading about miracles.

  5. Identify two things that Carlo Acutis liked to do when he was alive.

  6. In your own words, summarise the two miracles linked to Carlo Acutis described in the article.

Answers

Tap to reveal
1. A 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. Any two of: Football, computer games, spending time on the Internet 6. The first miracle involved a student who recovered from a very serious head injury after her mother prayed at Carlo's tomb. The second involved a young boy in Brazil who was cured of a problem with his pancreas after touching one of Carlo’s shirts.
1. A 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. Any two of: Football, computer games, spending time on the Internet 6. The first miracle involved a student who recovered from a very serious head injury after her mother prayed at Carlo's tomb. The second involved a young boy in Brazil who was cured of a problem with his pancreas after touching one of Carlo’s shirts.