Bologna's San Petronio Feast Adds Card Donations and Concert

The Diocese of Bologna has introduced contactless card donation terminals in the Basilica of San Petronio, allowing visitors to contribute to fundraising efforts via POS devices. The initiative launched on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with several dozen parishes expected to adopt the system in coming weeks. Donations of 5, 10, or 20 euros can be made at display panels with QR codes, placed at the basilica's entrance and exit. The funds will support construction of an accessibility ramp, with promotional materials in Italian and English explaining the project. On Sunday, October 4, celebrations for the city's patron saint include a 5 p.m. mass led by Archbishop Matteo Zuppi, followed by a procession and a concert in Piazza Maggiore featuring nine artists, including the Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano, with themes of peace and fraternity.