Important anniversary
The traditional appointment with the returns to the Capital Breeder's Day, now in its nineteenth national edition. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, on the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, patron saint of agriculture and livestock, the Italian Breeders' Association (AIA) will celebrate one of the most heartfelt anniversaries in the Italian livestock sector. The event will be attended by civil and military authorities, as well as delegations of breeders from across Italy and their families.
The program of the event
The event will transform the heart of the Vatican into a veritable open-air farm for the entire morning. Here are the day's highlights:
9:00 am – 14:00 pm: Opening of the animal exhibition in Piazza Pio XII.
9:30 am: Participants meet at the “Fattoria sotto il cielo,” located in front of Bernini’s Colonnade, between the forecourt of St. Peter’s Square and Via della Conciliazione.
11:00 a.m.: Holy Mass will be celebrated inside the Vatican Basilica, at the Altar of the Chair. The service will be officiated by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter.
12:00 PM: The eagerly awaited parade of horses and riders along Via della Conciliazione, followed by the traditional blessing of the animals in Piazza Pio XII.
Meaning of the anniversary
The celebration of Saint Anthony the Abbot represents a moment of strong unity for the entire national livestock system. As emphasized by AIA President Roberto Nocentini, the initiative honors the patron saint of stable workers and livestock, confirming the profound connection between faith, agricultural tradition, and the local area (source: AB – Agrivenatoria Biodiversitalia).
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