He is the patron saint of Italy and Aldo Cazzullo in his book presents him as “The First Italian.”.
Born in Assisi around 1182, Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, later Francis, spent much of his youth in wealth.
He was the son of a wealthy textile merchant and dreamed of becoming a knight.
His life was totally turned upside down through a spiritual experience.
The change is marked by his encounter with a leper to whom he gave his own clothes and, later, by the invitation he received from the San Damiano Crucifix: “Go, Francis, repair my house that is falling into ruin.’
This led him to a choice of absolute poverty by renouncing everything before the Bishop of Assisi.
So the rich man strips himself of everything to follow faith, to follow God.
His “life purpose,” based on the Gospel, was approved by Pope Innocent III in 1209.
Hence the Order of Friars Minor was born.
The Saint's story is told through 28 large frescoes in the Upper Basilica.
Francis is remembered for his humility and numerous miracles.
Among the most famous episodes are the Preaching to the Birds and the Miracle of the Spring , in which he brought water out of the rock for a thirsty donkey.
He set up the first living nativity scene in history.
He was the first to receive the stigmata on Mount Verna in 1224 from Jesus Christ Our Lord. Dante, therefore, says of him that “from Christ he took the last seal.”.
In the last years of his life, Francis suffered from several illnesses. Although there is no single definitive diagnosis, he suffered from severe ophthalmia (an eye disease that almost led to blindness), gastrointestinal problems, malaria, and the wounds of the stigmata.
He died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44, at the Portiuncula, the small church where his conversion took place.
The saint was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228, only 2 years after his death, and his liturgical memory is celebrated every year on October 4.
On this day, Assisi and all of Italy, come alive remembering the holy friar with celebrations honoring the figure who embodied true “joyful poverty” and unconditional love for every creature.
At this time, the saint's remains are on extraordinary display in the Lower Basilica in Assisi (Feb. 22 to March 22, 2026) on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of his death. For the same occasion , our Pope Leo XIV, has proclaimed an extraordinary Jubilee Year of St. Francis (January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027).
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