October 4 is one of the most loved dates in the Catholic calendar because it is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
Francis died on the evening of October 3, 1226, but the Church celebrates his feast on October 4.
His life of simplicity, prayer, peace, poverty and love for creation has inspired Christians for centuries.
October 4 has also witnessed major events involving the Gregorian calendar, the Second Vatican Council, the United Nations, important papal journeys, Church synods and Fratelli Tutti.
Here are 10 memorable events connected with Catholic Church history on October 4.
1. October 4, 1582 – The Last Day Before the Gregorian Calendar Takes Effect
October 4, 1582 was an extraordinary day in the history of the calendar we use today. Pope Gregory XIII had ordered a reform because the old Julian calendar had slowly moved out of line with the seasons.
In Catholic countries that immediately accepted the change, Thursday, October 4 was followed by Friday, October 15. Ten calendar dates were skipped.
This correction also helped keep the Church’s calculation of Easter closer to the time intended by the early Church.
The new system became known as the Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII. It eventually became the calendar used by most of the world today.
2. October 4, 1962 – Pope John XXIII Goes to Loreto and Assisi Before Vatican II
On October 4, 1962, Pope St. John XXIII made a special pilgrimage to Loreto and Assisi. The Second Vatican Council was scheduled to begin only one week later.
At the Shrine of Loreto, John XXIII prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary and entrusted the coming Council to her care. He later travelled to Assisi and prayed at places connected with St. Francis.
The pilgrimage showed how important prayer was to the Pope as he prepared for one of the biggest Church gatherings of modern times. Vatican II opened in Rome on October 11, 1962.
3. October 4, 1965 – Pope Paul VI Becomes the First Pope to Address the United Nations
On October 4, 1965, Pope St. Paul VI travelled to New York and addressed the United Nations. It was an historic journey. Vatican records describe the day as the first time a pope had set foot in the United States.
Speaking to representatives of nations from around the world, Paul VI made a strong appeal for peace and international cooperation.
During the same day, he visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, celebrated Mass at Yankee Stadium and visited other places in New York.
His journey showed the Catholic Church’s desire to speak to the whole world about peace and human dignity.
4. October 4, 1978 – Pope John Paul I Is Buried in the Vatican
On October 4, 1978, Pope John Paul I was laid to rest in the Vatican Grottoes. He had died suddenly on September 28 after serving as pope for only about one month.
His short pontificate shocked Catholics around the world. John Paul I had become known for his warm smile, simple language and humble way of living.
Thousands mourned him, even though he had been pope for such a short time. His life continued to inspire Catholics, and decades later Pope Francis beatified him in 2022. His burial on October 4 closed one of the shortest papacies in modern Catholic history.
5. October 4, 1979 – Pope John Paul II Celebrates Mass Among American Farmlands
On October 4, 1979, Pope St. John Paul II celebrated Mass at Living History Farms near Des Moines, Iowa, during his first papal journey to the United States.
Standing in an agricultural area during harvest time, he spoke about the land as a gift from God and reminded people that caring for the earth also brings responsibility.
Later the same day, he travelled to Chicago and met Catholics at Holy Name Cathedral. The events formed part of a large journey across the United States during which John Paul II met Catholics from many different backgrounds.
6. October 4, 2009 – Pope Benedict XVI Opens the Second Synod for Africa
On October 4, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI opened the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Bishops and other Church representatives from Africa gathered in Rome to discuss major challenges facing the continent. The theme focused on reconciliation, justice and peace.
Benedict reminded Catholics that the first special Synod for Africa had taken place fifteen years earlier under Pope John Paul II.
The new gathering looked at the growth of the African Church and the problems Catholics faced in areas affected by war, poverty, injustice and social division.
7. October 4, 2012 – Pope Benedict XVI Returns to Loreto 50 Years After John XXIII
Exactly fifty years after Pope John XXIII’s pilgrimage, Pope Benedict XVI travelled to the Shrine of Loreto on October 4, 2012.
He remembered John XXIII’s visit of October 4, 1962, shortly before Vatican II began. Benedict prayed at the Holy House and celebrated Mass.
He entrusted two major Church events to Mary: the coming Year of Faith and a Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization.
The visit linked two generations of popes and reminded Catholics that fifty years earlier John XXIII had come to the same shrine to pray for the success of the Second Vatican Council.
8. October 4, 2013 – Pope Francis Makes a Major Pilgrimage to Assisi
On October 4, 2013, Pope Francis travelled to Assisi on the Feast of St. Francis. It was especially meaningful because he had chosen the name Francis after becoming pope earlier that year.
During the visit, he prayed at the tomb of St. Francis, celebrated Mass and visited places connected with St. Francis and St. Clare.
He also met poor people, sick and disabled children, priests, religious communities and young people. Pope Francis spoke strongly about simplicity, service and caring for people who are often forgotten.
He described his journey as a pilgrimage inspired by the example of St. Francis.
9. October 4, 2015 – Pope Francis Opens the Synod on the Family
On October 4, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the opening of the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The gathering focused especially on the family. Bishops from around the world came to Rome to discuss marriage, family life and the difficulties facing families in modern society.
In his opening homily, Francis spoke about loneliness, love between a man and a woman, and the importance of the family.
The Synod became part of a wider Church discussion about how Catholic communities could support families while remaining faithful to Christian teaching.
10. October 4, 2020 – Fratelli Tutti Is Presented to the World
On October 4, 2020, the Vatican publicly presented Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti, a major Church document about fraternity and social friendship.
Francis had signed it the previous day at the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi. The title was inspired by words of St. Francis, and the document called people to see one another as brothers and sisters.
It discussed peace, human dignity, friendship between peoples, care for vulnerable people and the dangers of selfishness and division.
Releasing it around the Feast of St. Francis made the connection between the saint’s message and the modern world especially clear.
Saint of the Day – St. Francis of Assisi
October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most famous Catholic saints in the world.
- Francis was born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy. As a young man, he dreamed of success and military glory. His life changed after a deep conversion.
- He eventually gave up his wealth and chose a life of poverty, prayer and service.
- He founded the movement that became the Franciscan Order.
- Francis became especially known for his love of poor people, peace, creation and complete trust in God.
- He died on the evening of October 3, 1226. Franciscans remember his death on October 3 with the Transitus, while the whole Church celebrates his feast on October 4.
- His life gives us a simple message: You do not need wealth or power to change the world. A humble life filled with love can leave an influence lasting for centuries.
An Amazing October 4 Connection
October 4 has repeatedly become an important day for popes because of St. Francis of Assisi.
- John XXIII travelled to Assisi on October 4, 1962.
- Paul VI made his historic journey to the United Nations on October 4, 1965.
- John Paul II celebrated with American Catholics on October 4, 1979.
- Benedict XVI opened the African Synod on October 4, 2009, and went to Loreto on October 4, 2012.
- Pope Francis made his major Assisi pilgrimage on October 4, 2013, opened the Family Synod on October 4, 2015, and presented Fratelli Tutti to the world on October 4, 2020.
- The date has therefore become strongly associated not only with St. Francis himself, but also with peace, fraternity, mission and Church renewal.
What Can We Learn From October 4?
October 4 gives us a powerful message about peace, simplicity and change.
- The Gregorian calendar reminds us that even systems used for centuries sometimes need correction.
- John XXIII teaches us to begin important work with prayer.
- Paul VI reminds us that the Church should speak for peace.
- John Paul II reminds us to respect the earth and the people who work it.
- The Synods remind us that Church leaders need to listen and work together.
- And St. Francis reminds us that real greatness does not come from wealth, possessions or power.
The message of October 4 is simple: live simply, make peace, care for others and use your life to bring goodness into the world.
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