The mother of the soon-to-be canonized Carlo Acutis has told a congregation in the United States that her son had reminded her that “each person is special in God’s eye.”

Antonia Salzano Acutis was speaking to more than 2500 people at St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York about her son, whose canonization was delayed because of the death of Pope Francis.

She described the election of Pope Leo as “a beautiful surprise because now we have an American Pope!

“Carlo loved America and Italians love Americans because of what happened during the Second World War. We have many cemeteries full of Americans who gave their life for Italians, for the peace. So I am sure in the providence of God, this is not casual.”

Carlo Acutis died of leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15.  His beatification and his interest in using digital communication to teach others led to Acutis being called patron saint of the Internet” and “the first millennial saint.”

Speaking about the delay in his canonization, Antonia Acutis said she had received a message from her son saying:

“Okay, so the canonization was suspended. But what about your canonization? You too! You are looking at me surprised. Maybe you forgot that God, for each one of us, has a special project. Jesus says, ‘You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.’”

Antonia Acutis, who is touring the United States to spread messages about her son's life to younger audiences added: “We will die as photocopies if we do not realize God’s project for us. We all have the seeds of sanctity inside of us.”

Carlo Acutis is set to be canonized by Pope Leo as the first millennial saint.