(Dr. Joseph M. Eble / Catholic World Report) – On September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis. Saint Carlo’s enthusiastic love of God and his selfless service are inspirational, especially to young Catholics. So it was with great enthusiasm that the Church celebrated his first feast day on Sunday, October 12.
As is typically the case for saints, the feast day of Saint Carlo corresponded to his death day. It is noteworthy that Saint Carlo’s feast day is not October 11, the date when he was declared “brain dead,” but rather October 12, the date when his heart stopped beating.
The Church, it seems, recognized that true death occurs only after the cessation of all vital functions. This footnote in the story of Saint Carlo raises an important and controversial question: are “brain-dead” patients alive or dead? CONTINUE