St. Catherine of Siena
Patron Saint of Europe, Italy, and Fire Protection
St. Catherine of Siena was a 14th century lay Italian known for being one of the most influential women in the history of the papacy. In the 1370s, she helped negotiate the return of the pope to Rome from Avignon, and then tried to stabilize the Church at the beginning of the Western Schism. Catherine was trusted and respected by the popes for her understanding of Church politics and the importance of the pope. She is also remembered for her mystical theology and writings, with The Dialogue of Divine Providence still popular today. St. Catherine of Siena is a Doctor of the Church and Pope John Paul II named her a co-patron saint of Europe.