October 4th will once again be a national holiday in Italy. It will honor the country’s patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi, whose liturgical feast is celebrated by the Catholic Church on that day.
This is part of a bill that has received approval from both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. However, it will not take effect this year, but in 2026, marking 800 years since the death of the saint.
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, was quick to praise the decision.
I welcome with joy and satisfaction the news of the Senate’s final approval of the bill that reintroduces, after 50 years, October 4th — the day we celebrate Saint Francis, Patron of Italy — as a national holiday.
This holiday was first introduced to the Italian calendar in 1958 and was later abolished in 1977, along with other dates, during a period of austerity.
The founder of the Franciscan Order is one of the most beloved saints in Italy. He gave up his family's wealth to live in poverty and is also known for his promotion of peace.
Assisi, the city where he was born in 1182, has become a major pilgrimage site in Italy. Several popes have visited the town, including the last three.
But the pope with the strongest personal connection to the saint was Pope Francis himself, who chose his papal name in honor of him, so as not to forget the poor during his pontificate.
CA
Trans. CRT
