February 13

Girolamo Aleandro was born near Motta di Livenza in 1480 and studied classics and theology at Padua and Paris. A skilled humanist and scholar, he entered the service of Pope Leo X and became a leading figure at the Diet of Worms in 1521. As papal nuncio, he delivered the papal bull condemning Martin Luther’s writings, marking a decisive moment in the Reformation. Aleandro was elevated to cardinal in 1538 and continued to influence church policy until his death in 1542. He also produced scholarly editions of classical texts and maintained a reputation as a learned Renaissance humanist.

Fabio Chigi was born in Siena in 1599 and served as a papal diplomat and Secretary of State under Pope Urban VIII. He was elected pope in 1655 and took the name Alexander VII. His pontificate was marked by extensive architectural commissions, including works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in Rome. Alexander VII also sought to mediate conflicts among European powers and was involved in the Jansenist controversy. He promoted missionary activities and reorganized church finances. Alexander VII died in 1667, remembered for his cultural patronage and diplomatic outreach.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad emerged in late 19th-century British India as a charismatic religious leader. He authored numerous works promoting interfaith dialogue and spiritual revival within Islam. In 1889, he proclaimed himself the "Promised Messiah," sparking both devotion and controversy. Ahmad founded the Ahmadiyya movement, emphasizing peace, education, and moral reform. His teachings continue to influence millions of followers worldwide, and his legacy endures through annual conventions and charitable efforts.