Every bell in Siena rang to announce the news of Saint Catherine's proclamation as a new patron of Europe. The proclamation comes 60 years after Pope Pius XII proclaimed Saint Catherine and Saint Francis of Assisi co-patrons of Italy. The Church of Siena met at Saint Dominic's for a solemn Mass of thanksgiving presided by the Archbishop.
The proclamation of the Siena Dominican tertiary was joyfully received by Archbishop Gaetano Bonicelli, who confirmed that "the Holy Father told me about the decision to accept our proposal a few days ago. It happens at a significant moment, the beginning of the Synod of European Bishops, precisely to emphasize the relation between Saint Catherine's work and the Continent's history. I have already sent the Pope a message of gratitude on behalf of the Siena community."
