Assisi, Faith And Technology In Dialogue
The Inspiration And Origins Of Pixel & Prayer
“Be original, not a copy.”
— Saint Carlo Acutis
This simple and illuminating phrase by Carlo Acutis is the inspiration behind Pixel & Prayer.
Pixel & Prayer was born in Assisi, a city unique in the world. The land of St. Francis and St. Clare, and of many saints who over the centuries have made this place a universal symbol of peace, spirituality, and hope.
It is precisely here that this project comes to life, inspired by the figure of Saint Carlo Acutis, a boy who, with simplicity, faith, and a passion for technology, left a profound mark on the hearts of millions of people worldwide.
Memories Becoming Testimony
A Personal Encounter and a Vivid Memory
For our family, Carlo was not only an example known through stories or testimonies
We had the grace of knowing him personally.
Our children, Mattia and Jacopo, were among Carlo's friends in Assisi with whom he spent simple moments during his visits to the city with his family. During the Christmas and Easter holidays, in the summer, and on other occasions throughout the year, Carlo would come to Assisi, where his family had a house near the home of Mattia and Jacopo's grandmother. From that proximity, a spontaneous friendship between the boys was born, made of simple, daily, and authentic moments.
Those who knew him primarily remember this: his extraordinary simplicity.
Carlo was a boy like many others, with passions, curiosities, and interests in technology and the digital world. But at the same time, he had a profound, clear, and unshakeable faith, capable of illuminating every aspect of his life.
Memory, Gratitude, And Signs Of Life
The Birth of the Project and Its Significance
In the years following his death, his message continued to grow throughout the world, leading to his beatification and canonization. During this time, in our personal experience, we also received many testimonies and small signs of spiritual closeness that made us feel Carlo was still present in our lives.
Pixel & Prayer was born from this experience. A project that aims to be, first and foremost, an act of remembrance, gratitude, and witness.
Through this space, we wish to preserve and also tell the story of some simple symbols that accompanied Carlo's daily life and that today represent him to the world: his iconic red polo shirt, his blue one-shoulder backpack, and other objects that recall his essential and authentic style.
These are not just objects, but signs of a life lived with simplicity and faith, capable of speaking especially to young people.
Pixel and Prayer was born from our family.
It was born from a true encounter.
It was born in Assisi.
Vicolo Santo Stefano: Where History and Faith Meet
In the oldest heart of Assisi, amidst alleyways steeped in the scent of history and peace, lies a special place: Vicolo Santo Stefano. It is here that our family roots run deep; in this corner of Assisi, Stefano was born and raised among these stones with his parents, brother, and sisters.
Just 20 meters from our historic home stood Carlo Acutis's holiday house. In this small space, geographical proximity transformed into a deep bond: summers, Christmases, and Easters were not mere vacations, but moments of shared life. My sons, Mattia and Jacopo, had the rare fortune to grow up running in that very alley with Carlo, sharing the simplicity of childhood games and the beauty of daily life lived together with his family.
