Saint Pius of Pietrelcina

Pope Pius V, born Antonio Ghislieri on January 17, 1504, and died May 1, 1572, was a cardinal before becoming head of the Catholic Church as pope from January 7, 1566, until his death. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church for his role in implementing the Council of Trent, leading the Counter-Reformation, and standardizing the Roman Rite within the Latin Church. Pius V is also noted for declaring Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church and his firm stance against heresy and nepotism. He excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I of England for heresy and persecution of Catholics during her reign. Pius V arranged the formation of the Holy League, which defeated the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

The pope attributed this victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, instituting a feast day in her honor. He is remembered for his piety and dedication to orthodoxy, as evidenced by his words during the battle: 'A truce to business; our great task at present is to thank God for the victory which He has just given the Christian army.'