The Italian Senate has definitively approved legislation reinstating October 4 as a national holiday honoring St. Francis of Assisi, marking a significant restoration of the saint's feast day to the country's official calendar. The constitutional affairs committee gave final approval to the measure, which had already passed the Chamber of Deputies with overwhelming bipartisan support. The law will take effect next year, though its practical impact will first be felt in 2027 since October 4 falls on a Sunday in 2026.
The legislation, presented by the Noi Moderati party, received remarkable political consensus with 247 votes in favor, 8 abstentions, and only 2 opposed during its passage through Montecitorio. Commission President Alberto Balboni emphasized the "symbolic value" of the definitive approval coming before this year's October 4 celebration, even though the law's application will begin in 2026 pending publication in the Official Gazette. The timing aligns strategically with preparations for the eighth centenary of St. Francis's death in 2026.
The approval comes amid extensive preparations for the eighth centenary celebrations of St. Francis's death, which will feature international events beginning January 10. Fra Marco Moroni, custodian of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, announced that Pope Francis has been invited to participate in the year-long commemorations. The celebrations will include the exhibition of St. Francis's remains, the cataloging of medieval codes from the Ancient Fund of the Assisi Convent, and the "Paths of St. Francis" project to enhance Franciscan routes.
While the new holiday will generally mean reduced working hours and legal restrictions nationwide, Bologna represents a special case since October 4 already marks the feast day of its patron saint, San Petronio. For the Emilian city, schools and public offices will maintain their existing closure schedule, though compensation rules for workers on double holidays may see adjustments. The international recognition of St. Francis's significance was noted by The Guardian, which highlighted the Italian government's move to restore the holiday as central to national identity.
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