President Sergio Mattarella to attend San Francesco celebration in Assisi

Italian President Sergio Mattarella will attend the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 3 and 4 to mark the eighth centenary of the saint's death. During the celebrations, Mattarella will participate in the Eucharistic celebration and the lighting of the Lampada Votiva dei Comuni d’Italia. For the first time, Assisi Mayor Valter Stoppini will represent the Italian people during this ceremony.

Following the mass, the President is scheduled to deliver a message to the nation from the Loggia of the Sacro Convento di San Francesco in Assisi. The upcoming festivities include a pilgrimage to the site of the saint's death and an oil offering at his tomb. On October 3, the program includes the commemoration of the saint's passing and Vespers at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Porziuncola.