Italian Army honors patron Saint John XXIII in Potenza and Perugia

The Italian Army held religious ceremonies in Potenza and Perugia to honor its patron saint, Pope John XXIII. These commemorations focused on the historical connection between the Pope and the military.

During the First World War, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli served as a medical graduate, providing religious and moral assistance to wounded soldiers, orphans, and refugees. These actions serve as a foundational reference for the values of solidarity and service within the modern Italian Armed Forces.

In Potenza, the ceremony at the Church of San Rocco was attended by regional authorities and military commanders. The event also highlighted the link between the Pope's beatification and a miracle attributed to a nun from Potenza, Caterina Capitani. In Perugia, the service was held at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and officiated by Archbishop Ivan Maffeis, with participation from various Umbrian military units and local officials.