Relic of the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint is stolen from Venezuelan parish

A relic of Carlo Acutis, who was declared the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint last week, was stolen from a parish in western Venezuela, the coordinator of a youth group devoted to the man known as “God’s Influencer” confirmed Friday.

CARACAS, Venezuela — A relic of Carlo Acutis, who was declared the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint last week, was stolen from a parish in western Venezuela, the coordinator of a youth group devoted to the man known as “God’s Influencer” confirmed Friday.

The disappearance of the relic — a small, circular piece of cloth — was reported on Sept. 9 by staff at the Santo Domingo de Guzmán parish in Cardenal Quintero municipality in Mérida state, said Adrián García, coordinator of the San Carlo Acutis Youth Group.

“So far, there’s no information; it’s still missing,” García said Friday. “We have faith in God that it will appear. It has great spiritual value.”

The relic, which was housed in a glass reliquary, disappeared just two days after Pope Leo XIV declared Acutis a saint. The 15-year-old computer expert, who used technology to spread the faith, is considered a role model for the next generation of Catholics.

Teen to become the first millennial saint of the Catholic Church01:39The cloth is a “third-degree relic,” which are usually objects that have been touched by the saint.