Overview
- President Sergio Mattarella promulgated the law on October 8 establishing October 4 as a national holiday in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.
- The new statute leaves October 4 simultaneously a national holiday for St. Francis and a civil solemnity for St. Catherine of Siena under different legal regimes.
- In a letter to the presidents of the Senate and Chamber, Mattarella said the issues are not constitutional but require legislative corrections for clarity and coherence.
- He invited Parliament to choose a single framework, suggesting either abrogating the civil solemnity or incorporating St. Catherine into the national holiday.
- The holiday takes effect from 2026 with school and public office closures and additional pay for essential workers, creating practical conflicts for school initiatives unless the texts are coordinated.