Procession of Saint Francis of Paola – Co-patron of Palermo

The 2025 edition of the festival of Saint Francis of Paola, co-patron of Palermo and patron saint of seafarers, was celebrated on Sunday, May 11. The day began with the solemn mass at 11:30 AM in the Church of San Francesco di Paola, in the historic center.

In the afternoon, the traditional procession of the saint's silver statue took place, reaching the Port of Palermo from the church while crossing the streets of the center. At the port, the most anticipated ritual was renewed: a Coast Guard patrol boat laid a laurel wreath in the sea in memory of those lost at sea, while the moored ships paid homage to the saint with the sound of their sirens. The procession confirmed the vitality of one of the maritime devotions most deeply rooted in the identity of the Municipality of Palermo, in Sicily.