On October 8, 2025, Italian President Sergio Mattarella signed into law the bill establishing a national holiday for St. Francis of Assisi, after it was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on September 23 and by the Senate on October 1.
In a letter to parliamentary leaders Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana, Mattarella noted that while the measure did not raise constitutional concerns, it contained technical inconsistencies that needed correction.
The law designates October 4, the feast day of St. Francis, as an official non-working holiday celebrating peace, fraternity, solidarity, and environmental protection. It also amends a 1958 statute that already marked the same date as a civil solemnity honoring both St. Francis and St. Catherine of Siena, removing the reference to Francis.
As a result, the date now carries two overlapping designations—a national holiday for St. Francis and a civil solemnity for St. Catherine—creating, according to Mattarella, legal and practical confusion. He called on Parliament to clarify and harmonize the two provisions, suggesting lawmakers choose one designation and ensure future legislation remains clear and consistent.