Carlo Acutis and Padre Pío: the spiritual friendship that unites them

Antonia Salzano, mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, and José María Zavala, director of the movie “Heaven cannot wait” about the life of Italian adolescent, spoke about the deep spiritual friendship that unites the saint with St. Pius of Pietrelcina.

Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) was an Italian teenager who died with only 15 years, because of a fulminating leukemia. He helped the poor, promoted the Eucharistic Miracles and offered his suffering for the Pope, the Church and the conversion of sinners.

This Friday, June 13, the Vatican reported that Pope Leo XIV has arranged that Carlo Acutis be declared Santo on September 7, along with Pier Giorgio Frassati, also Italian.

San Pío de Pietrelcina (1887–1968), known simply as Father Pío, was an Italian capuchino friar who had the stigmas of Christ, the gift of prophecy, mystical visions, and that in his ministry highlighted for his long hours in the confession.

Carlo Acutis’s mother speaks about her relationship with Father Pius

In the movie “Heaven cannot wait,” Antonia Salzano remembers a little known episode of his personal experience with Father Pío.

One night he could see in dreams Padre Pío, who said: “Get up, your son is wrong.” He went to see Carlo in his room and found that, indeed, he was sick and had a fever.

On the other hand, in a Video posted in 2021Antonia recalls that her father was a friend of the woman who received the miracle that allowed the canonization of Padre Pío in 2002.

The mother also highlights that Carlo Acutis was very devout from the Eucharist for the devotion she saw in Father Pío, and that something similar happened with the guardian angel and the souls of Purgatory.

“As Father Pío, Carlo was also very devout from his guardian angel. He said he was called Gabriel and, like Father Pío, he had continuous dialogues with his guardian angel,” says Antonia.

Regarding “the devotion to the souls of purgatory, Carlo also saw some things from the souls of purgatory that asked for prayers,” continues the mother of the Blessed.

Antonia Salzano also highlights the devotion of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Father Pío to the Archangel San Miguel, San Francisco de Asís and the Virgin of Fatima.

Carlo Acutis, Father Pío and the Archangel San Miguel

In a video posted on February 19, 2023José María Zavala notes the connection of Carlo Acutis and Father Pío with the Archangel San Miguel, specifically in the place known as Monte Sant’Agelo, near San Giovanni Rotondo, where the Holy Capuchin lived.

To that place, Father Pío sent those who were affected by the demon so that, in the grotto where the archangel appeared, they were released by their intercession.

Zavala also recounts that an aunt of Antonia Salzano was a spiritual daughter of Father Pío, and told her that her niece was born and asked her to pray for her.

“And Father Pío said ‘I blessed her, I bless the’, and effectively blessed her distance, and that blessing took effect, because, by intercession of Carlo Acutis, of her own son, Antonia Salzano had a conversion, and not only her, but her husband and her brothers, the whole family,” Zavala shared.

José María Zavala then pointed out a coincidence of dates. Blessed Acutis made its first communion on June 16, 1998, and on June 16, 2002 the Padre Pío was canonized by Pope John Paul II “In the most massive canonization ceremony throughout the history of the Church.”

In addition, on May 24, 2003 Carlo Acutis made the confirmation, one day before Father Pío’s birthday, which is celebrated every May 25.

Originally published on March 26, 2023. It has been updated for republication.