{
  "id": 11868860,
  "title": "Assisi marks 800th anniversary of Saint Francis's death",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/assisi-marks-800th-anniversary-of-saint-franciss-death",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T06:40:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/04/assisi-marks-800th-anniversary-of-saint-franciss-death"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On the 4th of October, Italy commemorates the 800th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis of Assisi, the beloved patron saint of the nation. This year marks a special occasion, as it is the first time in over four decades that October 4th has been designated as a national holiday.\n\nTo celebrate this momentous event, Assisi, the city where Saint Francis once resided, is bringing together all of Italy's regions and provincial capitals. Currently, 18 regions and an equal number of municipalities are participating in the festivities.\n\nOver three thousand pilgrims and tourists have converged on the city to join in the celebrations, which reach their peak with an address to the nation delivered by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, from the loggia of the Sacred Convent.\n\nThe day begins with a lively ringing of the bells at midnight on Saturday, followed by a mass for the community of friars in the early hours. At 6:50 a.m., prayers are offered at Saint Francis' tomb. By 9:45 a.m., President Mattarella is expected to arrive for a solemn mass in the Upper Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi.\n\nAmbassadors and representatives of foreign countries attend the celebration, during which Umbria offers oil to the city and Assisi's mayor, Valter Stoppini, lights a votive lamp on behalf of all Italian municipalities. At 11:20 a.m., official speeches are given, and at noon, the Angelus prayer by Pope Leo XIII is broadcast live on giant screens in the town square.\n\nApart from the official ceremonies, a series of cultural initiatives have been organized to celebrate Saint Francis. The exhibition \"Saint Francis at the Porziuncola\" opened to the public on October 4th and will remain on display until October 25th, 2026. Located in the Porziuncola Museum at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the exhibition offers visitors a deep dive into Franciscan iconography from the 13th century.\n\nAmong the highlights of the exhibition are the breviary of Saint Francis and that of Saint Clare, which showcases the strong connection between these two influential figures of the early Franciscan movement. Visitors can admire various works, including paintings, relics, and the famous portrait-relic attributed to Cimabue, believed to be the lid of Saint Francis' first coffin. Additionally, the Crucifix of the suffering Christ by Giunta Pisano, painted around 1236, is on display. The entire exhibition cycle is part of the Franciscan Jubilee Year, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, which began on January 10th, 2026, and is set to conclude on January 10th, 2027.",
  "summary": "Day of ceremonies and events in Assisi to honour Italy's patron saint. President Mattarella addresses the nation before regional leaders and foreign ambassadors.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}