Italy will mark 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi next year.Italy is set to make 4 October a national public holiday once again, reinstating a day off in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi for the first time in nearly half a century.The proposal is outlined in a bill launched by the small centre-right Noi Moderati party ahead of the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis, a milestone being marked in Italy next year. The bill, which is backed by the ruling right-wing parties and is expected to be passed easily, will be voted on in the lower house on Thursday before moving to the senate for final approval. In addition to school and office closures as part of a full public holiday on 4 October, the bill calls for cultural initiatives dedicated to St Francis and the values he embodied: peace, fraternity, inclusion and environmental protection. Italy's public holidays: a quick guide The move would see 4 October return as a public holiday for the first time since 1977 when it was removed as part of a law reducing the number of holidays for economic reasons. For the last 48 years the feast of San Francesco d'Assisi, one of Italy's patron saints, has been confined to the religious calendar in Italy. However, once the bill is passed, 4 October will become a public holiday as of next year. In 2026 the date falls on a Sunday, meaning that workers or students won't see any tangible difference until 2027 when there will be a long weekend in honour of St Francis. The move would bring to 12 the number of national public holidays in Italy, in addition to feast days for local patron saints of cities including Pietro & Paolo in Rome (29 June) and Ambrogio in Milan (7 December). St Francis of Assisi One of the Catholic Church's most venerated saints, Francis of Assisi is one of Italy's two primary patron saints along with Catherine of Siena. Francis was born to a wealthy merchant family in 1181 but, after a dramatic conversion experience, he abandoned his privileged lifestyle to embrace a life of poverty, preaching and service. He is best known for founding the Franciscan religious order and is most associated with Assisi where his tomb is visited by pilgrims from all over the world every year. Francis viewed nature as a mirror of God, calling all creatures his brothers and sisters. His profound love for animals and his advocacy for peace and simplicity have made him a revered figure. Francis was canonised by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228, less than two years after his death on 3 October 1226.

Italy is set to make 4 October a national public holiday once again, reinstating a day off in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi for the first time in nearly half a century. The proposal is outlined in a bill launched by the small centre-right Noi Moderati party ahead of the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis, a milestone being marked in Italy next year. The bill, which is backed by the ruling right-wing parties and is expected to be passed easily, will be voted on in the lower house on Thursday before moving to the senate for final approval. In addition to school and office closures as part of a full public holiday on 4 October, the bill calls for cultural initiatives dedicated to St Francis and the values he embodied: peace, fraternity, inclusion and environmental protection.

• Italy's public holidays: a quick guide

The move would see 4 October return as a public holiday for the first time since 1977 when it was removed as part of a law reducing the number of holidays for economic reasons. For the last 48 years the feast of San Francesco d'Assisi, one of Italy's patron saints, has been confined to the religious calendar in Italy. However, once the bill is passed, 4 October will become a public holiday as of next year. In 2026 the date falls on a Sunday, meaning that workers or students won't see any tangible difference until 2027 when there will be a long weekend in honour of St Francis. The move would bring to 12 the number of , in addition to feast days for local patron saints of cities including Pietro & Paolo in Rome (29 June) and Ambrogio in Milan (7 December). St Francis of Assisi One of the Catholic Church's most venerated saints, Francis of Assisi is one of Italy's two primary patron saints along with Catherine of Siena. Francis was born to a wealthy merchant family in 1181 but, after a dramatic conversion experience, he abandoned his privileged lifestyle to embrace a life of poverty, preaching and service. He is best known for founding the Franciscan religious order and is most associated with Assisi where his tomb is visited by pilgrims from all over the world every year. Francis viewed nature as a mirror of God, calling all creatures his brothers and sisters. His profound love for animals and his advocacy for peace and simplicity have made him a revered figure. Francis was canonised by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228, less than two years after his death on 3 October 1226.