A Mother Transformed by Her Saintly Son
In a world where the innocence of our youth is under threat like never before, a beacon of hope shines through: a sudden saint of 15 years old, whose life of faith has led him to become “The Apostle of the Eucharist.” A son of his time, who enjoyed playing football, joking with his friends, loved playing video games, and was remarkably skilled with computers.
Antonia Salzano is no ordinary mother; she is the mother of Carlo Acutis, a woman whose life was transformed by the faith and love of her son. Not only did she find her way to God through his testimony, but with unwavering faith, she endured the most heart-wrenching pain a mother can experience: the loss of a son. Yet, Antonia is also a mother who, at the age of 58, witnessed in her lifetime the canonisation of her saintly son, who was proclaimed a saint on 7 September 2025.
A curious fact is that for the Acutis Salzano family, England and Ireland hold a very special place in their heart. In the early years of their marriage, Antonia Salzano and Andrea Acutis, Carlo´s parents, lived in London for some years, where they ran the family business, and it was there that Carlo was born. But their connection to these lands runs even deeper: Carlo’s grandmother, Andrea´s mother, had both English and Irish roots. Therefore, it doesn’t surprise the immense affection the people of England and Ireland feel for her son, an affection they acknowledge with gratitude and says is reciprocated by their family.
Antonia and her husband had received the sacraments, but faith had no place in their lives. Religion was indifferent to them, and God seemed absent from their daily lives. However, the arrival of their first child would change the course of their lives forever.
From a very young age, Carlo showed an extraordinary sensitivity to the sacred. Thanks to his Polish nanny and his education at a Catholic school, he discovered Jesus with an unusual fervour for his age and felt the need to bring Him to everyone around him. Antonia remembers: “When my son asked me about the faith, I didn’t know how to respond, and I felt my authority was wavering.”
It was precisely the zeal and spiritual wisdom of Carlo, so surprising in a child, that led his parents to see faith with new eyes. Moved by his life testimony and his persistent desire, they returned to the Church and rediscovered God and the Sacraments.
Antonia recalls: “Carlo was always ahead of his time. At 3, he said his first word, and by 4, he was writing. When we walked down the street and saw a church, he always wanted to go in and pray in front of the cross. He always had that desire.” From that moment on, there was no turning back: the Acutis family was deeply transformed, a gift of God’s grace and, undoubtedly, the intercessory prayers of their son for the conversion of his parents.
She is a witness to Carlo’s holiness and has revealed the prophetic dreams both she and he experienced—glimpses of eternity that foretold the extraordinary destiny of her son.
The Spiritual Friendship of Carlo Acutis and Padre Pio
The Acutis Salzano family has experienced throughout their lives the powerful intercession and spiritual friendship of Padre Pio. Their story with the Capuchin saint begins with the very birth of Antonia.
Antonia’s life is marked by indelible memories of the 15 years spent with her son Carlo, and by a series of mystical experiences that, over time, have taken on even deeper meaning. What once seemed like mere dreams are now clear signs that have charted the path for her family and the Church, a true seal of heaven.
In various interviews, she has shared her testimony as a direct witness to Carlo’s holiness. On 23 November 1966, Antonia was born after a highly complicated delivery that left her mother on the brink of death. Her arrival into the world was truly a miracle. She was the only granddaughter and niece in the Salzano family. At that time, an aunt of Antonia, who was a spiritual daughter of Padre Pio, was in San Giovanni Rotondo. When she went to visit the holy friar, she asked for his blessing for the newborn. With his characteristic love for souls, Padre Pio blessed the child. Today, Antonia believes that Padre Pio’s blessing became present in her life with the greatest gift God granted her: her son Carlo.
Years later, when Carlo was young, Antonia had another experience with the saint. On one occasion when Carlo was very ill, she was awoken in the middle of the night by a dream where Padre Pio said to her: “Get up, your son is unwell.” Startled, she hurried to Carlo’s room and found his condition had worsened dramatically, with a very high fever, confirming the saint’s warning.
Carlo had a deep devotion to Padre Pio, and along with his parents, would often visit San Giovanni Rotondo. One of his favourite places to visit was Monte Sant’Angelo, the ancient sanctuary dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael, near San Giovanni, where the prince of the heavenly host appeared four times. Padre Pio had a special bond with this place and would often recommend to all pilgrims and penitents who came through his confessional to go there.
Antonia highlights that Carlo, just like Padre Pio, had a great devotion to the Eucharist, to his Guardian Angel, whom Carlo named Gabriel and with whom he engaged in spiritual conversations, and to the souls in purgatory.
The Prophecy About Carlo’s Mission
She also recounts another curious aspect that foreshadowed Carlo’s divine destiny. Providence placed a priest with the gift of reading hearts along her path. “I remember that the first time he received me, he heard my confession and revealed all my sins, even though he had never seen me before. He also predicted that Carlo would have a special mission in the Church and would help many souls.”
Intercession of the Souls in Purgatory
Among the many supernatural experiences that marked the Acutis family, Antonia recalls an episode that left an indelible mark on her heart. When Carlo was around four and a half years old, Antonia’s father passed away. For her, the loss was devastating, compounded by the anxiety of not knowing with certainty the eternal destiny of her father.
Three months after his death, Carlo surprised his mother with an unexpected revelation. His grandfather had appeared to him, asking for prayers, as he was in purgatory and needed help to leave that state. From that day on, Carlo never stopped praying for the souls in purgatory. But his compassion was not limited to simple prayers. Antonia recalls that, with extraordinary spiritual maturity, he dedicated himself to offering plenary indulgences on their behalf, following the practices recommended by the Church: praying the Rosary in community or with the family, spending at least 30 minutes in Eucharistic adoration, and meditating on the Sacred Scriptures. She remembers that when they spent summers in Assisi, Carlo would attend Mass in the morning, and in the afternoon, he would go to another Mass at the Porciúncula of St. Francis, specifically offering the Holy Mass and a practice to gain plenary indulgences each day to apply them to a soul in purgatory.
Hell
On one occasion, Carlo told his mother that he had seen Saint Jacinta Marto, one of the little shepherds of Fatima. The little girl entrusted him with a shocking message: “There are no human words to describe the horror of hell.”
The Visions of Carlo Acutis and His Deep Connection with Fatima
It is common to find photographs of Carlo Acutis in the Sanctuary of Fatima, which demonstrate his deep devotion to these Marian apparitions and the closeness he felt with Our Lady at Fatima and the little shepherds. From a young age, he regularly visited this sacred place with his parents. However, what few knew — until his mother revealed it — is that Carlo experienced several visions connected to Fatima.
Antonia recalls that when Carlo was about eight years old, they attended a procession of Our Lady of Fatima together in a church. Amidst the fervour, as the Virgin’s procession passed before them, the young boy saw Our Lady of Fatima pause in front of him and place her heart upon his chest. The Mother of God asked him to consecrate himself to the Heart of Jesus and to her Immaculate Heart.
On another occasion, Carlo dreamt of Francisco Marto, the shepherd of Fatima, who asked him to offer reparation and sacrifices “so that people could love and honour the Eucharist more.”
Another vision that Carlo experienced was the appearance of a messenger angel with a trumpet, accompanied by the Virgin of Fatima in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. In this revelation, the Virgin warned him that difficult times were ahead for Christianity due to humanity’s disobedience.
In 2005, after the death of Sister Lucia dos Santos, Carlo, one year before his own death, shared another extraordinary experience. In a dream, the Fatima visionary spoke to him about the First Saturdays Devotion, emphasising its importance and telling him that this practice “can change the destiny of the world.” This devotion, requested by Our Lord and Our Lady, is an act of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Its practices include: Receiving Confession, Communion, praying the Holy Rosary, accompanying the Virgin for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary. All these practices should be performed with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Prophetic Dreams with St. Francis of Assisi
Assisi is where the mortal remains of Carlo rest. His body relic is displayed in the Sanctuary of the Spoliation. Carlo loved Assisi and requested to be buried there. He found comfort and inspiration in the places cherished by St. Francis, retreating there every year and embodying his commitment to follow the example of this great saint. He admired St. Francis deeply, not only for his dedication to the poor and marginalized but also for his desire to emulate his life. The Sanctuary of the Renunciation, also known as the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, a part of the Church of Saint Mary Major in Assisi, was his preferred place. This site commemorates the moment when the saint stripped off all his clothes, proclaiming that from then on, God was his true Father. Carlo made this act his own, and as his mother says, “Everything Carlo did was in Jesus, for Jesus, and to Jesus.”
The impact of St. Francis of Assisi on the Acutis family was profoundly revealed when, at the end of Carlo’s life, his mother had a prophetic dream. On the night of October 3 to 4, 2006, when Carlo began to feel unwell, his delicate health condition forced his mother to watch over him during consecutive nights, anxious for his well-being. During one of those nights, Antonia had a dream. In it, she found herself inside a church, accompanied by St. Francis of Assisi, the saint Carlo admired so much. The scene was enveloped in an atmosphere of holiness and peace. St. Francis, with a solemn gesture, pointed to Carlo’s face, which appeared majestically on the ceiling of the church, and, in a calm voice, revealed to Antonia that her son had a very important role in the Church. Antonia interpreted this message as a sign that Carlo would follow a path towards the priesthood.
However, the next night, while watching over her sick son, in a state of half-sleep, Antonia clearly heard a voice announce: “Carlo will die.” Initially, the mother attributed this to a negative thought from her anxious mind, but later, Carlo was urgently admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with advanced leukemia, which, a few days later, on October 12, 2006, led Carlo to leave this world and continue his mission in heaven.
Another dream Antonia had before Carlo’s death was a deeply disturbing vision. In this dream, she saw a lamb bleeding to death while a voice in Arabic pronounced words that, according to her, meant “sacrifice” and “victim.” Antonia is convinced that these words were prophetic, as they predicted the painful situation she would face with her son. Carlo suffered numerous hemorrhages due to his acute leukemia, culminating in a sudden and tragic death. Despite the immense physical suffering and pain that accompanied her son, Antonia firmly believes that Carlo, like Jesus, became a victim pleasing to God, offering himself for the salvation of many souls.
Not long after Carlo Acutis passed away, Antonia had a dream in which St. Francis of Assisi appeared to her and said, “Your son now dwells among the highest in Heaven. After his Beatification, a new generation of saints will emerge—because of him.”
These divine revelations not only confirmed her son’s sanctity but also brought comfort and spiritual guidance to a mother who, until then, had been mourning the loss of her only son.
Carlo and the Meaning of Suffering
Antonia has shared that when Carlo first began to experience the initial signs of his illness, he said: “I offer my suffering for the Pope and for the Church.” At the time, his family thought he was joking. However, two days later, he could no longer get out of bed.
In hospital, despite receiving the worst diagnosis, Carlo never stopped smiling or complained, even knowing he was dying. He would always say: “I want to please God.” His love for the Lord had been unwavering since childhood. When he received his First Holy Communion at the age of seven, he wrote: “To remain always united with God – this is my life’s plan.” And he remained faithful to that promise until the end.
Antonia highlights her son’s deep understanding and spiritual maturity in relation to the mystery of suffering. “Carlo used to say that no one escapes suffering, that each of us must walk our own Golgotha. As followers of Christ, the path to Heaven is through prayer and suffering,” she recalls, referring to the words of Our Lady to St Bernadette: “I do not promise you happiness in this life, but in the next.” For Carlo, suffering was not an obstacle, but a bridge to God.
“Suffering helps us draw closer to Him, to recognise ourselves as creatures, to convert, and to transform our own lives and the lives of those around us.”
Carlo’s Signs from Heaven
Before his death, Carlo told his mother: “Mamma, when I am in Heaven, I will send you signs.” Antonia recounts that on the very day of his funeral, Carlo sent her the first sign. During the burial, a grieving woman approached his coffin and, with deep faith, asked for his intercession. She had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and was about to begin chemotherapy. Miraculously, the cancer disappeared. Since then, countless testimonies of miracles, conversions, and healings have followed.
When Carlo passed away, Antonia was 39 years old and had lost all hope of becoming a mother again, as Carlo, her only child, was no longer with her. However, years later, in a dream, Carlo assured her that she would be a mother once more. And so it happened. At the age of 43, after many difficulties, Antonia gave birth to twins: Francesca and Michele. The day of their birth coincided with the anniversary of Carlo’s passing, 12th October. For her, this was not a mere coincidence but a sign, her son’s signature from Heaven.
Sometime later, she had another dream of Carlo, in which he said to her, “Mum, I will be Beatified, and not long after, I will be proclaimed a Saint.”
The Death of a Son
Antonia cannot help but feel a deep longing for the earthly life she shared with her son – a natural sentiment for any mother who has lost a child. However, amid that sorrow, and thanks to the lessons her son left her, she has come to understand something fundamental that sustains her in her grief: “I have come to see death through my son’s eyes. For him, death was not the end but the encounter with his beloved – just as St Francis referred to death as ‘Sister Death’, God created us with a purpose, and that purpose is paradise. We are made for Heaven. Carlo always insisted on the importance of fixing one’s gaze on the infinite, on eternity.”
Antonia never imagined that Carlo’s reflections in life would take on such profound meaning and become her guiding light in the years to come. This is the truth her son taught her – a truth that now leads her each day until the moment she is reunited with him in their heavenly home.
Advice to Parents
When Antonia was asked several times for advice to parents, she offered the following guidance. “The Church is the Sacrament of Healing,” says Antonia. “It is the dispenser of the medicine for the soul.” In a world marked by chaos, the Church remains an essential refuge, offering the tools for salvation and spiritual well-being.
Her advice to families is to love the Church and draw near to it. From an early age, parents must instil faith in their children with conviction, introducing them to practices that strengthen their relationship with God. Attending Sunday Mass regularly, praying the Holy Rosary as a family, and teaching them to foster a friendship with God, Our Lady, the saints, and their guardian angels—all with deep naturalness, love, and as part of the family’s daily routine.
Faith is the greatest legacy parents can pass on to them, and in the end, it will be what saves them. But she remarks that it’s also important that parents remain consistent in their faith and example; otherwise, they lose credibility, as children are keen observers of their parents’ actions.
However, today’s young people face enormous challenges. The world is full of dangers that threaten the health of their souls and spirits, easily distorting their fundamental values. She highlights the key role of prayer, emphasising that parents’ prayers truly help, and we must never underestimate its importance:
“As parents we must never lose faith or hope in the conversion of our children. Prayers for their conversion are always heard. God is never indifferent to the pleas of a mother or father; in its time, those prayers will bear fruit. If we persevere in prayer and sacrifice for our children, if we continue to attend daily Mass and pray the Rosary, Heaven will intervene. Our prayer, united with Christ’s, has real power. The Blessed Virgin confirmed this at Fatima when she asked the little shepherds to pray and offer sacrifices, not only for themselves but also for ‘so many souls who have no one to pray for them and who are perishing in hell.’”
