January 24

Stephen IV was elected pope in June 816. He traveled to France in late 816 to crown Louis the Pious as emperor in Reims, cementing the alliance between the papacy and the Carolingians. His journey marked the first time a pope had crossed the Alps since Gregory the Great. Stephen IV returned to Rome in early 817 but died shortly thereafter. His brief pontificate helped to shape the relationship between secular and ecclesiastical power in medieval Europe.

Jörg Jenatsch was a Swiss Reformed pastor turned influential political figure in the early 17th century. He led Protestant forces in the Grisons region, navigating shifting alliances amid the Thirty Years' War. Jenatsch survived assassination attempts and was renowned for his strategic boldness. He later converted to Catholicism to secure broader support against Habsburg domination. His life ended in a dramatic assassination during Carnival in 1639, cementing his legacy in Swiss history.

Lafayette Ronald Hubbard was born in 1911 in Tilden, Nebraska. He achieved fame as a prolific pulp fiction writer in the 1930s and 1940s before developing a self-help system called Dianetics. After the publication of Dianetics in 1950, Hubbard expanded his ideas into the religious movement of Scientology. As its leader, he established churches worldwide and authored numerous texts on the subject. Scientology's controversial beliefs and practices attracted both devoted followers and vigorous critics. Hubbard oversaw the growth of the organization until his death in 1986, leaving a complex and disputed legacy. His work continues to influence popular discussions on religion and mental health.

Helena Kmieć was a Polish Roman Catholic lay missionary known for her work with orphaned children in Bolivia. She volunteered with the Mary Immaculate Missionaries congregation in Cochabamba. Kmieć organized educational and recreational programs for underprivileged youth. In 2017, she was tragically murdered while providing aid outside a church. Her dedication inspired many in Poland and Bolivia to continue charitable outreach. She was posthumously honored by the Vatican and local communities for her selfless service.