After almost half a century, the Italians will return to celebrate San Francesco d’Assisi, patron of Italy since 1939 at the behest of Pope Pius XII: on 4 October he is about to return to the national holidays calendar. The Chamber of Deputies will vote on Thursday 18 September the bill that will transform this date on a public holiday in all respects.
The initiative bears the signature of Maurizio Lupi, leader of us moderate, and has collected the support of Fratelli d’Italia and Forza Italia. If Parliament approves the rule, from 2026 schools and public offices they will remain closed as happens for Christmas, Easter or May 1st. The proposal goes beyond the simple closure of schools and administrations. The text provides that public bodies organize events and educational activities to celebrate the values of the saint of Assisi: peace, fraternity, respect for the environment and social inclusion.
National party again after almost 50 years
It was 1977 when on 4 October he disappeared from the civil calendar. In full economic crisis, the Andreotti III government decided to cut some holidays to increase working days. Since then, for 48 years, the anniversary of the patron of Italy has remained confined to the religious sphere, celebrated only in churches and among the faithful. The parliamentary path appears sent. After Thursday’s vote in the Chamber, the text will move on to the Senate where the majority plans to approve it without hitches. The times seem mature to return the public recognition that he had lost to the feast of St. Francis.
Workers and students will have to wait, possibly, until 2027 to really enjoy the free day, because in 2026, the first year of application of the law, on October 4th he will fall on Sunday, a coincidence that will make change invisible. The decision marks a change of course compared to the policies of the seventies and recognizes the cultural and spiritual value of a central figure for the Italian identity.
