Saint Pius

St. Pius X (1835-1914), born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the Pope of the Catholic Church from 1903 until his death. He was born in the town of Riese, in the Venetian region of Italy, and was known for his humility, piety, and dedication to the reform of the Church. As pope, he sought to bring the Church closer to the people by encouraging frequent communion and the use of vernacular languages in liturgy. He also promoted Gregorian chant and condemned modernist theology. St. Pius X is venerated as a saint for his holiness and his efforts to renew the Church. He is the patron saint of catechists and first communicants.