The surprise announcement came at the conclusion of the pope’s weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square as Francis celebrated World Children’s Day.

Carlo Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 aged 15, was dubbed “God’s influencer”. Born in London, he grew up in Milan, where he took care of the websites for his parish and a Vatican-based academy. Pope Francis told his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Nov 20 that Carlo will be made a saint during the weekend of April 25 to 27.

Carlo, who was born to Italian parents in London, was a web designer who died of leukaemia in Italy in 2006 at the age of 15.