Belarusian Archbishop Blesses AI-Generated Icon of Saint Carlo Acutis

Archbishop Emeritus Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Belarus sparked public debate after blessing an AI-generated icon of Saint Carlo Acutis at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Novolukoml on October 11, 2026. The icon, which depicts the late teenager holding a rosary and a laptop, was created by a team including engineer Dmitry Kulpanovich, photographer Viktor Veden, and designer Andrey Kabanov. It has been installed at a side altar within the church.

During his sermon, Archbishop Kondrusiewicz addressed the role of modern technology, expressing a hope that the icon would inspire believers to use the internet in pursuit of truth and holiness. Carlo Acutis, who was canonized in 2025, is widely recognized as the patron saint of the internet for his work in documenting Eucharistic miracles online before his death in 2006.

The blessing has drawn criticism from some believers on social media, who have questioned the appropriateness of using AI-generated imagery for religious devotion and prayer. The event highlights ongoing discussions within Christian communities regarding the intersection of artificial intelligence and traditional liturgical practices.