Rwanda: Rwanda’s Bishop Vincent Harolimana of the Ruhengeri Diocese has encouraged young people to look to Saint Carlo Acutis as a guiding figure capable of helping them face the challenges of today’s digital era.
The Bishop delivered this message over the weekend at Nyakinama Parish in northern Rwanda during the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King, which coincided with the 40th Diocesan Youth Day.
At the gathering, Bishop Harolimana also unveiled and blessed a mural of Saint Carlo Acutis, marking the spot as a dedicated prayer site where parish and diocesan youth can seek the saint’s intercession.
He emphasized that the life of Carlo Acutis canonized on 7 September 2025 by Pope Leo XIV demonstrates that holiness is attainable for the youth of today.
“Carlo Acutis shows that young people can strive for sainthood. He is widely remembered as the Apostle of the digital age, yet he was equally devoted to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother,” the Bishop noted.
Bishop Harolimana also urged young Catholic media professionals to draw motivation from Carlo Acutis’ example. He highlighted that the Church in Rwanda is preparing to host the SIGNIS World Congress, an international gathering for Catholic communicators, scheduled for 3–8 August 2026 in Kigali.
He expressed the hope that young communicators will use their media expertise and social-media influence to support evangelization efforts especially reaching out to fellow youth, who form the largest group of digital media consumers.