Carlo Acutis, a Catholic saint-to-be, is set to be canonized later this month, making him the first video-gamer saint in history. However, an Italian archbishop has clamped down on online auctions of relics purportedly linked to “God’s influencer”. The Vatican prohibits the sale of relics for financial gain, with Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino stating that such activities are a form of deception and insult to religious sentiment.
The move comes after an anonymous vendor attempted to sell strands of Acutis’ hair online for $2,200. Bids were eventually withdrawn after authorities became involved. The archbishop emphasized the importance of respecting canon law, which prohibits selling relics without permission from the Vatican. The church encourages praying in front of relics, but they are not to be bought or sold.
Sorrentino expressed concern that such activities might be orchestrated by Satan and pledged to report any further cases to the authorities. He also highlighted the prevalence of relic trading on the internet and described it as “something impossible to accept”. Acutis’ canonization ceremony is set to take place in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on April 27.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/05/europe/auctioning-off-millennial-saint-relics-is-satans-work-archbishop-intl/index.html