I invite you, the reader of this book, to imagine you are the one asking the questions and making comments. In this way, you can develop your own personal conversation with Carlo, noting what he is saying, how you are reacting to it, and what it is provoking within you.

On a technical note, while what I write is true to Carlo, generally paraphrasing his thoughts and recounting episodes from his life, I've added in a few extra points not directly attributable to Carlo but which I felt were true to him and helped the conversational style. Throughout the book I have placed in italics many of Carlo's own words and notes, and I am grateful to his mother for sharing them with us.

In a 2019 letter to, and about, young people,2 Pope Francis referred to Carlo Acutis. He noted how Carlo knew how to use the new communications technology to transmit the Gospel and to communicate values and beauty. The beauty of being alive in Christ is what we see in Carlo. At the very beginning of that same letter, Pope Francis says, "The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive, and he wants you to be alive!"

My hope is that the pages of this book will become an opportunity for you to let yourself be guided by Carlo Acutis on what being "alive" in Christ means.

Happy Reading!