Italy’s Senate approved legislation on October ​4, 2023, to reinstate October 4th as a national holiday beginning in 2026. The date commemorates Saint Francis of Assisi, ⁢the patron saint of Italy, and coincides with the approach of the eighth centenary of his death. The bill previously passed the Chamber of Deputies ⁢on September 23,2023,receiving bipartisan support.

The‍ decision recognizes Saint Francis’s significant role in ⁤both Italian and‌ european history,according to Vatican ​News.

Cardinal zuppi Welcomes the Decision

Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), expressed his joy and satisfaction with the Senate’s approval. He stated ⁢the holiday presents an opportunity‌ to rediscover Saint Francis’s profound impact‌ on Italian ⁤identity.
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“This is even ‍more true in these times torn by divisions, growing international tensions ⁣and a dramatic climb of global violence,”‌ Cardinal Zuppi explained, as reported by Vatican News. “San Francisco,⁤ whose main objective was to proclaim peace, reminds us that a fraternal and disarmed world is absolutely possible, ‌where everyone has their place, starting with the ​poorest and most vulnerable.”

A Legacy of Peace and Love

Cardinal Zuppi emphasized that Saint Francis’s life and work can inspire “political love​ and⁤ love⁢ for creation,” prioritizing the common good over self-interest and polarization. He noted that Saint Francis’s ‌faith has⁣ positively influenced humanity over the past eight centuries, both in Italy and globally.

According to the cardinal, celebrating Saint Francis means believing in⁣ the possibility of dialogue and recognizing the‍ brotherhood ‍of all people. He ⁢concluded that⁤ Saint‍ Francis continues to call on individuals to ‌live ​as authentic Christians in the modern world, as detailed by Vatican News.