Vatican City celebrates Pope Leo XIV’s name day

Vatican City observes September 17 as an official holiday to celebrate the “name day” of Pope Leo XIV. The Pope, born Robert Francis Prevost, shares his baptismal name with St. Robert Bellarmine, a prominent 17th-century Jesuit cardinal, theologian, and Doctor of the Church who died on this date in 1621.

St. Robert Bellarmine was a central figure of the Counter-Reformation, known for his intellectual defense of Catholic doctrine and his academic work at the Roman College. He is also noted for his historical interactions with Galileo Galilei regarding scientific and theological interpretations.

In preparation for Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to France in late September 2026, significant logistical arrangements are underway in Paris. Nearly 600,000 people have registered for an outdoor Mass at the Place de la Concorde. Local parishes are converting churches and community spaces into temporary sleeping quarters to accommodate the influx of young pilgrims.