VATICAN CITY — Tens of thousands of people packed into St. Peter’s Square on Sunday for the canonization ceremony of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, two Italians who died young but whose deep faith has inspired millions worldwide.

Lengthy applause filled the square when Pope Leo XIV pronounced them saints during a Mass. These were the first saints declared by the new pope.

Carlo, the first millennial saint, has become especially well known, and the Catholic Church is hoping his fame will encourage more young people to be active in the church. Because of his use of digital technology to spread the faith — including developing a website on which he listed miracles — he has been nicknamed “God’s influencer.”

In his homily, Leo praised the two young men who “cultivated their love fo

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