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Portrait of Pope Saint Pius V by Bartolomeo Passarotti, 1566
(Credit : Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Pope Saint Pius V (born Antonio Ghislieri; 1504–1572) was the head of the Catholic Church from 1566 to 1572. A Dominican friar and former Grand Inquisitor, he is primarily remembered as a central figure of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. He is venerated as a saint, with his feast day observed on 30 April.

Early Life and Vocation

Pius V was born in Italy to a humble family. From a young age, he was formed and well educated by the Dominicans. He entered the order and was ordained a priest at the age of 24. He then taught philosophy and theology for more than 15 years.

Papal election

Throughout his time as a priest, professor, and later bishop, Pius V was known for the time he spent in prayer, his commitment to fasting and his zeal for the truth. He was elected pope in 1566.

Pontificate filled with challenges

During his papacy (1566-1572), Pius V was faced with the almost overwhelming responsibility of getting a shattered and scattered Church back on its feet. The family of God had been shaken by corruption, by the Reformation, by the constant threat of Turkish invasion, and by the bloody bickering of the young nation-states. In 1545, a previous pope convened the Council of Trent in an attempt to deal with all these pressing problems. Off and on over 18 years, the Fathers of the Church discussed, condemned, affirmed, and decided upon a course of action. The Council closed in 1563.

Pius V was elected pope in 1566 and charged with the task of implementing the sweeping reforms called for by the Council. He ordered the founding of seminaries for the proper training of priests. He published a new missal, a new breviary, a new catechism, and established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes for the young. Pius V zealously enforced legislation against abuses in the Church. He patiently served the sick and the poor by building hospitals, providing food for the hungry, and giving money customarily used for the papal banquets to poor Roman converts. His decision to keep wearing his Dominican habit led to the custom–to this day–of the pope wearing a white cassock.

Pope Pius V’s ceaseless papal quest for a renewal of the Church was grounded in his personal life as a Dominican friar. He spent long hours with his God in prayer, fasted rigorously, deprived himself of many customary papal luxuries, and faithfully observed the spirit of the Dominican Rule that he had professed.

Miraculous victory of Holy League

In striving to reform both Church and state, Pope Pius V encountered vehement opposition from England’s Queen Elizabeth and the Roman Emperor Maximilian II. Problems in France and in the Netherlands also hindered Pius’s hopes for a Europe united against the invading Turks.

The Ottoman Turks were advancing toward Europe’s borders. In response, the Holy League was formed to halt them. Dominican Pope Pius V, who was very devoted to Our Lady, blessed the banner depicting the Crucifix flanked by the Apostles Peter and Paul, surrounded by the Emperor Constantine’s motto: "In hoc signo vinces". (By this sign you shall conquer.) This standard, together with the image of the Madonna and the inscription "S. Maria succurre miseris" (Holy Mary, help of those in need), were the only two flags that flew among all the ranks that composed the Holy League. Contemporaneously, the Pope asked the entire Christian people to unite themselves through the recitation of the Holy Rosary for the success of the battle which took place on 7 October 1571. The Holy League was victorious. It was apparent to everyone that the victory had been obtained through divine intervention.

In 1572, Pius V established the Feast of Our Lady of Victories. Later his successors changed it to “Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary” which we are celebrating now on October 7.

Death and Legacy

Pope Pius V died on 1 May 1572. He was canonized in 1712, by Pope Clement XI.

Saint Pius V's incorrupt body is housed in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

The pontifical vestments of Pope St. Pius V were exhibited at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Malta in October 2022 to mark the 450th anniversary of his death. The sacred relic, which includes the clothes he was buried in (found intact in 1904), was brought from the Vatican for the first time. The exhibition highlighted his role as a supporter of the Knights of Malta and the construction of Valletta.

Article by Catholic Time Staff

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• October 7 : Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary