In a twist that has left many Venezuelan Catholics reeling, a precious relic belonging to the Catholic Church’s newly declared first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, was stolen earlier this week from a parish in the country’s western region. The incident, which unfolded on September 9, 2025, at the Santo Domingo de Guzmán parish in the Cardenal Quintero municipality of Mérida state, has prompted both sorrow and hope among the faithful, as police continue to search for the missing artifact.
According to the Associated Press, the stolen relic is a small, circular piece of cloth—no bigger than a coin—housed within a glass reliquary. Its significance, however, is immense. Classified as a third-degree relic, it’s an object that was touched by the saint himself, making it a cherished item for believers and a symbol of spiritual connection to Acutis, who has rapidly become a role model for young Catholics worldwide.
The disappearance was first reported by the parish staff, and confirmation came from Adrián García, coordinator of the San Carlo Acutis Youth Group, a local organization devoted to the late saint. García, speaking to media on September 12, said, “So far, there’s no information; it’s still missing. We have faith in God that it will appear. It has great spiritual value.” NBC News echoed García’s sentiments, noting the deep sense of loss felt by the community, but also their enduring hope for the relic’s safe return.
The timing of the theft has only added to the sense of shock. The relic vanished just two days after Pope Leo XIV canonized Acutis in a historic open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square on September 7, 2025. The event drew an estimated 80,000 faithful, all gathered to witness the elevation of a modern-day teenager to sainthood—a rare occurrence in the long history of the Catholic Church.
Carlo Acutis’s story is one that resonates with a generation raised on digital technology. Born on May 3, 1991, in London to an Italian family, Acutis grew up in Milan, where he became known for his deep faith and his unique ability to blend traditional Catholic devotion with modern tools. Dubbed “God’s Influencer,” Acutis used his computer skills to create a multilingual website documenting so-called Eucharistic miracles recognized by the Church. His efforts brought him admiration not only from peers but also from Church leaders, who saw in him a bridge between ancient traditions and the digital age.
Acutis’s path to sainthood began in earnest after his untimely death from leukemia on September 7, 2006, at just 15 years old. His reputation for holiness and his commitment to spreading the faith through technology quickly gained attention. In 2018, the Vatican declared him “venerable,” the first formal step toward sainthood. Two years later, he was beatified after the Vatican’s saint-making office attributed a miraculous recovery of a child in Brazil to Acutis’s intercession—a case deemed “scientifically inexplicable.”
The journey culminated this September, when Pope Leo XIV officially declared Acutis a saint. The canonization was a moment of celebration for Catholics around the globe, but especially for young believers who see in Acutis a relatable figure—someone who understood their world and used its tools for good. As the Associated Press reported, the canonization Mass was held in St. Peter’s Square, drawing a crowd of about 80,000, all eager to witness the first millennial saint’s elevation.
Relics of saints have long held a special place in Catholic tradition, serving as tangible links to holy figures and as sources of inspiration and intercession. It is common practice for such relics to be distributed to churches around the world, especially after a figure is beatified or canonized. In this case, the San Carlo Acutis Youth Group in Venezuela had requested the relic when Acutis was declared blessed—a step prior to sainthood—hoping to inspire local devotion and connect the community to the broader story of the Church’s newest saint.
The theft, however, has cast a shadow over these celebrations. Parishioners and pilgrims alike have expressed dismay at the loss, with many gathering to pray for the relic’s return. García, the youth group coordinator, emphasized the item’s spiritual significance, saying, “We have faith in God that it will appear as it has a great spiritual value.” The sentiment reflects the deep reverence many hold for relics and the hope that the item will be recovered unharmed.
Police in Mérida state have launched an investigation into the disappearance, but as of September 13, there have been no significant leads or breakthroughs. The parish has appealed to the public for any information that could help locate the relic, underscoring its importance not just as a physical object, but as a symbol of faith and unity for the community.
The broader Catholic world has also taken notice. News outlets such as NBC News and the Associated Press have highlighted the incident, drawing attention to both the vulnerability of religious artifacts and the enduring devotion of the faithful. The story of the missing relic comes at a time when the Church is working to engage younger generations, and Acutis’s legacy as “God’s Influencer” continues to inspire digital evangelization efforts worldwide.
For many, the theft is a painful reminder of the challenges faced by religious communities in safeguarding their treasures. Yet, it has also sparked a renewed sense of solidarity and prayer among Venezuelan Catholics and those further afield. The hope remains that the relic will be found and restored to its rightful place, allowing the faithful to continue their veneration of a saint who, in life and death, has brought new energy to the Church.
As the investigation continues, the story of Carlo Acutis and his missing relic serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the power of faith in the face of adversity. Whether or not the relic is recovered, the devotion it inspired—and the legacy of the Church’s first millennial saint—shows no sign of fading away.
