Feast

Roberto Benigni is returning to Italian television to celebrate Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy's patron saint, on Rai Uno on the evening of October 4, the day dedicated to the saint. The actor and director is expected to give one of his celebrated storytelling performances, recounting the life of Francis. Italian media are promoting the broadcast as a highlight of the saint's feast day.

Italy is restoring 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, as a national public holiday. With the date falling on a Saturday in 2025, many workers stand to gain extra pay, and Corriere della Sera reports on how much salaries increase for those entitled to the allowance. The move has drawn wide attention as it is the first new public holiday added to the Italian calendar in decades.

Priests at Malate Church in Manila, Philippines, have blessed dogs and other pets in an annual ceremony marking the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Owners brought their animals to the church grounds for the traditional blessing, which has drawn wide coverage from international outlets. The event highlights a popular Catholic tradition blending faith and affection for animals.

The Barceloneta neighbourhood in Barcelona is bringing back its maritime memory with a free programme of activities. The line-up includes a popular sardinada — a grilled sardine feast — net-mending workshops and talks about the sea, celebrating the district's fishing roots. The initiative has drawn attention as the former fishing quarter continues to balance its working-class heritage with tourism pressure.

Catholics around the world are marking the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, held each year on 4 October. The day honours the 13th-century friar known for his devotion to poverty, humility and care for animals and nature. Many parishes hold blessings of pets, and the date is also linked to prayers for peace and environmental protection.

Assisi is commemorating 800 years since the death of St. Francis, with thousands of pilgrims gathering at the Porziuncola for the Transitus ceremony marking his passing. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Italian President Sergio Mattarella attended the Feast Day Mass on October 4, a highlight of the jubilee year in the Umbrian town.

West Indies batter Shai Hope is making headlines after a Sunday of cricket in which the most centuries were scored in a single day, setting a new record. Fans were treated to a feast of hundreds, with Hope among the standout performers, and coverage in Indian media highlighted the unprecedented milestone of multiple tons on the same day.

Priests in the Philippines have blessed dogs, cats and other animals in a church ceremony marking the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Wagging tails and pet owners filled the pews as clergy sprinkled holy water over the animals, a popular Catholic tradition that draws wide attention each October for its heartwarming scenes.

Churches around the world marked the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi with traditional blessings of the animals, with photo galleries showing pets brought to services for the ritual. The observance honours the 13th-century saint known for his love of animals and nature, a custom that continues to draw crowds of pet owners each October.

Episcopal churches held blessings of animals to mark the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century saint known for his love of creation. Congregations brought pets and other animals to services for the traditional blessing, an annual custom that draws pet owners and highlights the church's teachings on care for animals and the natural world.

A church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania held its annual blessing of pets, an event honoring the bond between people and their animals. Attendees brought companion animals to receive a blessing, continuing a tradition often tied to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Local coverage highlighted the celebration of companionship and the church's role in bringing the community together.

World of WearableArt, the New Zealand-based art and design competition, is presenting its GLO! show, which combines wearable art with stage performance in a celebration of culture, nature, and imaginative design. The event draws designers and audiences from around the world, blending fashion, theatre, and spectacle. Early commentary highlights its mix of whimsy and craftsmanship as a standout on the international arts calendar.

The New York Giants turned up the defensive pressure against the Arizona Cardinals even with star pass rusher Brian Burns unavailable. The team dialed up blitzes and aggressive schemes, and rookie Abdul Carter took full advantage, delivering a dominant performance that drew attention across NFL coverage.

Dogs were brought to New Community Church to receive a blessing, in what appears to be a pet blessing gathering. The event drew local attention as owners lined up with their animals for the ceremony, a tradition many churches hold around the feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Churches around the world are observing the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, with ceremonies blessing people's pets. During the services, religious leaders typically offer a short prayer and sprinkle the animals with holy water. The tradition draws pet owners to churches each year around the feast day.

International Translation Day is being celebrated, marking the United Nations-designated date honoring translators worldwide. The day coincides with the feast of St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators, who translated the Bible into Latin in a version known as the Vulgate. Readers and literary organisations are using the occasion to highlight translation as an essential literary art that brings books across languages and cultures.

Old North Church in Boston held its blessing of the animals on Sunday. The traditional service, often held around the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, invites pet owners to bring their animals to church for a blessing. The event drew attention as one of the city's best-known historic churches continued its long-running community tradition.

A church in Marion held its annual blessing of pets, an event where animals are brought by their owners to receive a blessing. The ceremony is part of a tradition honoring St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, typically held around his feast day in early October. Local coverage highlighted the congregation gathering with dogs, cats and other pets for the service.

The traditional Blessing of the Animals ceremony, in which priests bless pets and other animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, is being highlighted as possibly the church's most endearing custom. The event, typically held around St. Francis' feast day on October 4, draws crowds of pet owners with dogs, cats and other animals seeking a blessing. Viewers are responding warmly to the lighthearted religious moment.

A New York City church has held its annual blessing of the animals, a tradition in which pets are brought to be blessed, often around the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. Congregants typically bring dogs, cats and other animals to the service. The event draws attention each year for its warm scenes of animals inside a house of worship.

Italy celebrates the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October, a date that returned to the national holiday calendar in 2025 after nearly half a century. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a speech marking the re-introduction of the feast, which honours the patron saint of Italy and animals. The reinstatement of the date is drawing wide attention across the country.

St. Mary's Church has held its fifth annual Blessing of the Pets, a ceremony in which parishioners bring their animals to receive a blessing. The event, covered by local news, continues a growing tradition among congregations that ties faith to the bond between people and their pets.

Churches in Brooklyn held their annual 'Blessing of the Animals' ceremonies, a tradition in which pets and other animals are blessed, often timed around the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Owners bring dogs, cats and other companions to church services to receive a blessing. The Brooklyn Eagle reported on the ceremonies taking place at local parishes.

Churches are holding blessings for pets and other animals, with clergy blessing four-legged friends as part of the tradition associated with the feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Owners bring their dogs, cats and other pets to be blessed in ceremonies reported by Catholic media outlets.

A roundup of 19 Oktoberfest-inspired recipes is making the rounds, showing how basic pantry staples can be turned into classic Bavarian dishes. The collection targets home cooks looking to join the festival season with pretzels, sausages, and other German favorites without complicated ingredients or techniques.