Lentorama 2007: The Non-Canonized Catholic Person of the Day

Today's subject is Pope Pius V, who on this day in 1570 excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I. He would later promulgate a bull releasing English Catholics from recognizing her as sovereign, nice in theory but a bit problematic for those Catholics on the ground in Old Blighty.

Another reformer, particularly in regards to the morals and financial probity of the Holy See, Pius V is also known for two long-lasting changes. First, he helped created a new missal for Mass, which was in place until changes in 1970. Second, he started the habit of the Pope dressing in white (which he did prior to election as a Dominican). Prior to him, popes dressed in red like other cardinals; some of the current papal vestments are still red, mostly shoes and hats.

(I promise, it won't be a pope every day, but given the lead bit of info this was a hard one to pass up.)