About
Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 or 1182 in Assisi, was an Italian mystic and preacher. Son of a wealthy merchant, he renounced his possessions to live in poverty and founded the Order of Friars Minor. He preached love for creation and interreligious dialogue, meeting Sultan Al-Kamil in 1219. In 1224, he received the stigmata. He died in 1226 and was canonized in 1228. He authored the Canticle of the Creatures, the first great poem in Italian.
* 1182-06-24 — † 1226-10-03
Major works
- Cantico delle creature (1224)poem
Key milestones
- 1209Founds the Order of Friars Minor
- 1219Meets Sultan Al-Kamil in Egypt
- 1224Receives the stigmata at La Verna
Themes
PovertyLove of naturePeace and interreligious dialogueHumilityJoy
Sources: vatican.va · britannica.com · catholic.com