Think about saints, and you might picture people who lived a long time ago. But there’s big news: the world might soon have its first millennial saint, someone who lived not too long ago!
Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager, could become the first millennial saint. He passed away in 2006 when he was only 15 years old. Carlo is special because he’s known as the patron saint of the internet. He was really good with computers and used them to talk about his faith.
Carlo was born in London, but his family moved to Milan when he was little. He loved Catholicism from a young age. His passion for the religion was so strong that it even inspired his mom, Antonia Acutis, to rejoin the church. Even as a kid, he went to church every day.
From a young age, Carlo felt a strong calling to help others. He did things like giving to homeless people to make a difference. Before he died, Carlo used his computer skills to create a website to help others.
After he passed away, his mom got messages from people all over the world. They told her about miracles that happened after they prayed to Carlo. Some said they got better from cancer or became able to have children.
Carlo’s mom said he was like a light in the darkness of the internet. Some people even called him an “influencer for God” because they admired him so much.
Carlo’s mom, Ms. Acutis, believes her son’s life shows how the internet can be used for good things.
In 2020, the Diocese of Assisi, where Carlo’s family had property, asked the Vatican to make him a saint.
In February 2020, Pope Francis said a sick boy got better after touching Carlo’s shirt.
To become a saint, Carlo needs one more miracle. The Vatican says a Costa Rican student got better after her mom prayed to Carlo.
The Pope might call a meeting to talk about making Carlo a saint, but there’s no date for the ceremony yet.
It will be interesting to see Carlo become the first millennial saint! What do you think? Let us know in the comments and share this news with your friends and family.
A Startling Surprise Inside a Bag of Broccoli: A Snake!
Being Spooked by a Slippery Surprise
Imagine going about your regular grocery run, picking up broccoli, only to discover something that sends chills down your spine. That’s exactly what happened to Neville Linton, a 63-year-old man from the West Midlands of England. When he unzipped the bag of broccoli he bought from Aldi, he found himself face to face with a snake! As an ophidiophobic (someone with a fear of snakes), this was Linton’s worst nightmare come true.
A Tale of Courage and Quick Thinking
Thankfully, Linton’s relatives rushed to his aid and managed to take control of the snake before any harm was done. Linton’s sister, Ann-Marie Tenkanemin, immediately recognized the creature as a snake and together they safely transported it back to Aldi. Linton expressed his relief, stating, “It’s lucky I didn’t just leave the broccoli out in the kitchen, or it would have been loose in the house. That would have been a huge risk for us because we have two vulnerable people living here.”
The Impact on Fear and Family
Linton’s experience was not just alarming; it had the potential to be even more dangerous for his disabled son and mother-in-law. He believes that the compensation he received from Aldi was insufficient considering the potential risk to his family’s well-being. He expressed his concerns, stating, “The implications for us if it had [gotten] out in the house are huge. Plus, I’m phobic of snakes, so there’s the emotional impact of that, too.”
An Unusual Reptilian Encounter
So, what kind of snake was it exactly? According to expert opinions, it was initially identified as a juvenile ladder snake by a Dudley Zoo expert. However, herpetologist Dr. Steven J. R. Allain disagrees and asserts that it is, in fact, a harmless fish-eating species called a viperine water snake (Natrix maura). These snakes are found in southwestern Europe and northern Africa.
Demystifying the Fear
Here’s the reassuring news: neither the ladder snake nor the viperine water snake pose a significant threat to humans. They are not venomous and tend to avoid human interaction. In fact, they’re more interested in feasting on insects, birds, and even rodents. Dr. Allain hopes to dispel the fear surrounding these creatures, emphasizing their non-aggressive nature and their role in maintaining ecosystems.
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