Today, Vatican City is celebrating a national public holiday: the Feast Day of St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church—and the Blessed Name Day of Pope Leo XIV.
In keeping with Vatican tradition, official holidays do not mark the Pope’s birthday or his papal name (St. Leo the Great, Nov 10). Instead, the Vatican honors the saint corresponding to his baptismal name. Born Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV holds St. Robert Bellarmine as his patron saint.
This holiday replaces the Feast of St. George (April 23), which previously honored Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio).
Vatican Holiday Fun Fact: Vatican City observes 25 public holidays each year. These cover major Christian solemnities, Easter, Christmas, the Assumption, and key papal dates—including today's Name Day and the anniversary of the Pope’s election (celebrated for Pope Leo on May 8).
Just like the current Pope, Robert Bellarmine was a member of a religious order and a natural scientist: The famous Jesuit studied, among other things, astronomy; Pope Leo XIV, who holds a doctorate in canon law, is a trained mathematician and has been a member of the Augustinian Order for almost 50 years.The patron saint was Grand Inquisitor and Doctor of the Church
His namesake, as Grand Inquisitor, interrogated the scholar Giordano Bruno. Bellarmine was canonized in 1930 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1931.
For popes, birthdays are less important than name days. Unlike his birthday on Monday, no public engagements are yet known for Leo XIV on Thursday. He is expected to receive many well-wishes on his special day and celebrate at least privately. On his birthday, Leo XIV received a cake, congratulations, and musical greetings.
Comments