March 31

Giovanni Angelo Medici, elected Pope Pius IV in 1559, guided the Catholic Church during a pivotal era of the Counter-Reformation. He convened the final sessions of the Council of Trent, implementing its reforms to strengthen Church doctrine and discipline. Known for his diplomatic acumen, he fostered peace among Italian states and patronized the arts and architecture in Rome. His apostolic letters reformed religious orders and promoted education of the clergy. Pius IV’s papacy laid the groundwork for modernizing the Church and responding to Protestant challenges until his death in 1565.

Born in 1504, Guru Angad succeeded Guru Nanak Dev as the second Guru of Sikhism. He systematized the Gurmukhi script, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of Sikh teachings. Guru Angad introduced community kitchens (langar) to promote equality and service. He meticulously compiled the hymns of his predecessor, laying foundations for the Sikh scripture. Under his guidance, the Sikh community grew in discipline and organization. Guru Angad’s legacy endures in the linguistic and institutional traditions of Sikhism until his passing in 1552.

Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, elected Pope Benedict XIV in 1740, was renowned for his erudition and fair-minded governance. He reformed canon law, encouraged education of the clergy, and supported scientific inquiry, including studies in astronomy and volcanology. Benedict XIV patronized the arts, commissioning architectural works in Rome and preserving antiquities. He addressed issues of moral theology with compassion, issuing decrees on marriage and missionary activities. His diplomatic skills maintained peace between European Catholic powers during the War of Austrian Succession. Benedict XIV’s papacy is remembered as a bridge between Enlightenment thought and church tradition until his death in 1758.

Born in Baños de Río Tobía, Spain, Eduardo Martínez Somalo was ordained a priest in 1953. He entered the Vatican diplomatic service and served in nunciatures across Latin America. Elevated to cardinal in 1988 by Pope John Paul II, he later led the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. In 1993, he was appointed Camerlengo, overseeing the Church's administration during a papal vacancy. Cardinal Martínez Somalo played a key role in shaping policies on religious orders and supported global missionary efforts. He passed away in Rome in 2021, leaving a legacy of dedicated service to the Church.