Carlo Acutis in Assisi: a guide to his tomb and sanctuary

Who was Carlo Acutis?

Carlo Acutis was born in London on 3 May 1991 and lived in Milan, but spent long periods in Assisi where, as the sanctuary puts it, he “breathed in the spirituality of Saint Francis”. Daily Mass was a fixed appointment for him, in Assisi's churches too — among them Santa Maria Maggiore, where he now rests.

Struck by a sudden, aggressive leukaemia, he lived it, according to the sanctuary's official biography, “as a trial to offer for the Pope and for the Church”. He died on 12 October 2006, aged 15.

Born

London, 3 May 1991

Died

12 October 2006

Beatified

Assisi, 10 October 2020

Canonised

Rome, 7 September 2025

Tomb

Assisi, since 6 April 2019

Feast day

12 October

When did Carlo Acutis become a saint?

Carlo Acutis was beatified on 10 October 2020 in the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, at a celebration presided over by Cardinal Agostino Vallini. His canonisation, originally scheduled for 27 April 2025 during the Jubilee of Adolescents, was postponed after the death of Pope Francis: Pope Leo XIV proclaimed him a saint on 7 September 2025 in St Peter's Square, together with Pier Giorgio Frassati.

The liturgical memorial of Saint Carlo Acutis is on 12 October, the day of his death. 2026 marks twenty years since he died: for the anniversary the sanctuary organised celebrations from 9 to 12 October.

Where is Carlo Acutis's tomb?

The tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis is in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, on Piazza del Vescovado in the historic centre of Assisi: this is the Sanctuary of Renunciation. His body has rested here since 6 April 2019, and the tomb monument is in the right-hand aisle.

Why is it called the Sanctuary of Renunciation?

The name recalls one of the best-known episodes in the life of Saint Francis: the young Francis stripped off his clothes before his father and Bishop Guido, who covered him with his own mantle. Tradition places the episode in the bishop's palace next to the church. The sanctuary keeps the memory of that gesture alive and runs guided tours of the old bishop's palace and the “door of Francis”.

The church has a long history. According to tradition it was Assisi's first cathedral, built in the 4th century over a Roman house, the domus of Propertius; in 1035 the title of cathedral passed to San Rufino. The rose window bears the date 1163, the apse was rebuilt in 1216 and the façade took on its present appearance in 1938.

How can you visit Carlo Acutis's tomb?

The sanctuary is open every day. The opening hours published on the official website at the time of writing are:

• 1 November to 31 March: 8:00 to 19:00;
• 1 April to 30 October: 8:00 to 19:00 on Mondays and Thursdays, 7:00 to 19:00 on the other days;
• Sundays and holidays: from 10:30 to 12:30 visits to the sanctuary and the tomb are suspended for the 11:00 Mass (if you wish to attend, enter by 10:30).

Mass is at 18:00 on weekdays, preceded by the rosary at 17:30, and at 9:30 and 11:00 on Sundays and holidays. The sanctuary also offers guided tours of the domus of Propertius in the crypt, from 12:30 to 13:30 (the crypt is closed to visitors during services), and of the old bishop's palace with the door of Francis, for which booking is recommended. Times and services can change: check the sanctuary's official website before you go.

How do you get to the Sanctuary of Renunciation?

From Agriturismo La Mora the sanctuary is 6.8 km away, about 15 minutes by car according to Google Maps. Much of Assisi's historic centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL), with rules that change with the season: it's best to leave the car in one of the car parks listed by the town's official tourism website and continue on foot.

• Paid car parks: Giovanni Paolo II, Mojano, Porta Nuova and Matteotti.
• Free car parks: cemetery area (Via Egidio Albornoz), Piazza Caduti Forze dell'Ordine and Porta San Giacomo.
• Town bus lines A, B and C also run through Assisi.

What can you see near the Sanctuary of Renunciation?

The sanctuary is in the historic centre, and Assisi's main sights are within walking distance:

• the Basilica of San Francesco: 1.0 km, about 13 minutes on foot along Via San Francesco according to Google Maps;
• Piazza del Comune, with the Temple of Minerva and the Torre del Popolo;
• the Cathedral of San Rufino, which inherited the title of cathedral from Santa Maria Maggiore in 1035;
• the Rocca Maggiore, the fortress overlooking the town.

How can you combine the visit with the Basilica of San Francesco?

A simple itinerary, all on foot: the Sanctuary of Renunciation in the morning (on Sundays and holidays visits to the tomb are suspended from 10:30 to 12:30), then along Via San Francesco to the Basilica of San Francesco, where Carlo Acutis was beatified in 2020. In the afternoon, walk back up towards Piazza del Comune and the Cathedral of San Rufino.

In 2026 Assisi is also celebrating the Eighth Centenary of the death of Saint Francis (1226–2026). And 2.2 km from La Mora, on the plain below the town, stands the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli with the Porziuncola: we cover it in a dedicated guide.

Where to stay near Carlo Acutis's tomb?

Agriturismo La Mora, at Via Fonte Citerna 7, is 6.8 km from the Sanctuary of Renunciation (about 15 minutes by car) and 7.5 km from the Basilica of San Francesco. Its five independent apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi and air conditioning, with free parking on site: a quiet countryside base that works well for families and small groups.

For larger groups, the Bilancia apartment sleeps up to 8; Gemelli and Sagittario, with a private fenced garden, also welcome guests travelling with pets.