Patron Saint of Gamers and Video Games: St. Carlo Acutis

The saint most often called the patron saint of gamers and video games is St. Carlo Acutis (1991–2006), an Italian teenager who loved playing video games with his friends, built websites, and is now the first saint of the millennial generation. The Church has not officially named a patron of gaming, but young people around the world have adopted Carlo because he enjoyed games without letting them take over his life: he limited himself to about one hour a week. Pope Leo XIV canonized him on September 7, 2025, and his feast is October 12. Below are his story, other saints for gamers, a few thoughts on gaming and the Christian life, and prayers for gamers.

A short gamer’s prayer, written for this page:

St. Carlo Acutis, you loved games, friends and computers, and loved Jesus most of all.
Pray for me when I play: help me to have fun, to be kind and fair,
and to know when it is time to log off. Amen.

St. Carlo Acutis, patron of gamers

Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991, and grew up in Milan. He was an ordinary boy in many ways: he played soccer, loved his dogs and cats, made films with his friends, and was talented with computers, teaching himself programming. He also enjoyed video games. His mother has said that he decided to play them for no more than an hour a week, because he saw how easily they could swallow time that belonged to God, his family, his studies and other people.

From his First Communion at seven, Carlo went to Mass every day he could and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. He called the Eucharist “my highway to heaven.” At fourteen he used his computer skills to build a website and an exhibition on the Eucharistic miracles of the world, which has since traveled to thousands of parishes. In October 2006 he fell ill with leukemia, offered his sufferings for the Pope and the Church, and died on October 12, 2006, at fifteen. He was beatified in Assisi in 2020 and canonized in 2025, together with St. Pier Giorgio Frassati.

See St. Carlo Acutis prayers for more prayers and his full story.

Other saints for gamers

St. Isidore of Seville, the scholar often proposed as patron of the internet and computer users.
St. Clare of Assisi, named patroness of television by Pope Pius XII in 1958, a fitting saint for anyone who spends time in front of a screen. See the St. Clare prayer.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, a joyful young man who loved friends, games and the outdoors, for gamers who also need to get outside.
St. Sebastian, patron of athletes, often invoked by competitive and esports players. See the St. Sebastian prayer.

Gaming and the Christian life

Games are a good gift: they can build friendships, teach strategy and teamwork, and give real rest. Like every good thing, they need a place in a balanced life. Scripture reminds us (Ecclesiastes 3:1, Douay-Rheims):

All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.

A few questions in the spirit of St. Carlo:

Is gaming taking time from prayer, sleep, school, work or family?
Am I kind in voice chat and online, or do I say things I would never say face to face?
Am I playing games that are good for my mind and heart?
Could I offer my playing time to God, and give some of it to people who need me?

If gaming has become hard to control, you are not alone, and there is help. See the Catholic prayer for addiction, and consider talking with a priest, a counselor or someone you trust.

Prayers for gamers

Written for this page.

Before gaming

Lord, thank you for this time to play and to rest.
Bless my friends and the people I play with online.
Help me to win humbly, lose gracefully, and stop on time. Amen.

For kindness online

St. Carlo, you used the internet to lead people to Jesus.
Guard my words in chat and comments.
Help me to encourage others, ignore insults, and never be cruel. Amen.

For a gamer who struggles to stop

Lord Jesus, you know how hard it is for me to put the controller down.
Give me freedom, self-control and the courage to ask for help.
Fill my life with good things, so that games stay a gift and not a chain. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me. Amen.

For parents of gamers

St. Carlo Acutis, pray for my child.
Help me to understand the games they love, to set wise limits with patience,
and to lead them, as your parents led you, to Jesus. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the patron saint of gamers?

St. Carlo Acutis is the saint most often invoked by gamers. He has not been officially named patron of gaming; the patronage comes from popular devotion.

Did St. Carlo Acutis play video games?

Yes. He enjoyed video games but limited himself to about one hour a week.

When is St. Carlo Acutis’s feast day?

October 12.

Who is the patron saint of the internet?

St. Isidore of Seville is often proposed. See patron saint of the internet.

More patron saints

Texts and sources

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Douay-Rheims).