Francis of Assisi facts for kids

This page is about the friar and patron saint. For other uses, see Francis of Assisi (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Saint Francis of Assisi OFM
A painting of Saint Francis by Philip Fruytiers
Founder of the Franciscan Order Confessor of the Faith
Born	Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone 1181 Assisi, Duchy of Spoleto, Holy Roman Empire
Hometown	Assisi, Italy
Residence	Assisi, Italy
Died	3 October 1226 (aged approximately 44) Assisi, Umbria, Papal States
Venerated in	Catholic Church Anglicanism Lutheranism Old Catholic Church Skanda Vale
Canonized	16 July 1228, Assisi, Papal States by Pope Gregory IX
Major shrine	Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi
Feast	4 October
Attributes	Franciscan habit, birds, animals, crucifix, book
Patronage	Franciscan Order; poor people; peace; ecology; animals; merchants; Italy

An early fresco of Saint Francis at the abbey of Subiaco, painted between 1228 and 1229.

Saint Francis of Assisi (born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone; c. 1181 – 3 October 1226) was an Italian religious leader, poet, and Catholic friar. He is famous worldwide for founding the Franciscan Order, living a life of simplicity, and showing deep respect for nature and animals.

Born into a wealthy merchant family in Assisi, Italy, Francis gave up his fortune as a young man. He chose to live in voluntary poverty and help the sick and the needy. Soon, other young men joined him. Together, they started the Order of Friars Minor, also called the Franciscans.

Throughout his life, Francis inspired people across Europe. He worked with Clare of Assisi to start the Poor Clares for women. He also traveled as a peacemaker during the Fifth Crusade in 1219 to meet Sultan Al-Kamil in Egypt. Francis created the first live nativity scene in the village of Greccio at Christmas. Today, Francis is the patron saint of animals, nature, and the environment.

Meaning Behind His Name

Francis was born with the name Giovanni, given to him by his mother. His father, Pietro di Bernardone, was away on business in France when the baby was born. When Pietro returned to Assisi, he began calling the boy Francesco, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". Pietro did this because of his business success in France and his admiration for French culture.

Life and Biography of Saint Francis

Painting of Saint Francis of Assisi by Ducarmo Teles.

Early Years in Assisi

Francis was born around 1181 in the small hillside town of Assisi in central Italy. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant who traded luxury fabrics like silk. His mother, Pica, was a French noblewoman.

Because his family had money, Francis grew up in comfort. He loved fine clothes, fancy celebrations, and French poetry sung by troubadours. He was witty, popular, and spent money freely.

Despite this fun-loving lifestyle, Francis showed great kindness to the poor. One day, while selling expensive cloth for his father in the marketplace, a beggar asked for help. After finishing his trade, Francis ran after the beggar. He handed over all the money in his purse, which upset his father.

Capture in War and Major Life Changes

Around 1202, war broke out between Assisi and the neighboring city of Perugia. Francis joined the army as an armored knight. During the fighting at Collestrada, Francis was captured and held as a prisoner of war for about a year.

While in prison, Francis became severely ill. The long sickness made him think deeply about his purpose in life. When he finally returned home to Assisi in 1203, he found he no longer cared about fancy parties or chasing wealth.

In 1205, Francis planned to join another army traveling to southern Italy. On the journey, he experienced a vivid dream that told him to return home and serve God instead. Francis left the army immediately.

Rebuilding the Church

The Piccolino Chapel in Assisi, the traditional birthplace of Saint Francis.

Saint Francis Renounces His Earthly Father, painted by Sassetta.

Francis began spending his days praying quietly in isolated places around Assisi. While praying before an old crucifix at the broken-down country chapel of San Damiano, he felt called to repair the building.

Francis took expensive cloth from his father's shop, sold it, and tried to give the coins to the local priest. The priest refused the money, and Francis tossed the coins aside.

Fearing his father's anger, Francis hid in a cave for a month. When he returned home dirty and thin, his father locked him in a storeroom. His mother later unlocked the door and freed him.

His father then took Francis before the local bishop to make him give up his inheritance. In front of the crowd, Francis returned his fine clothes to his father. He declared that from then on, he would only follow his Heavenly Father. The bishop wrapped Francis in his own cloak to protect him.

For the next two years, Francis lived in simple clothes. He begged for building stones and rebuilt several broken chapels by hand, including the Porziuncola chapel near Assisi. He also cared for sick people in local hospitals.

Founding the Franciscan Religious Orders

The Order of Friars Minor

Pope Innocent III officially approving the Franciscans, painted by Giotto.

In early 1208, Francis attended church at the Porziuncola chapel. He listened to a reading where Jesus told his disciples to preach simply without gold, silver, or extra clothes. Francis felt this message was meant directly for him.

He put on a rough woolen tunic tied with a knotted rope, which was the ordinary clothing of local farmers. Francis then began traveling the countryside, speaking about kindness, peace, and love for everyone.

Other young men in Assisi wanted to follow his simple lifestyle. Within a year, Francis had eleven followers, called friars (meaning "brothers"). They lived in simple huts and worked or begged for food.

In 1209, Francis wrote a short guide for the group based on Bible passages about helping others. He traveled to Rome with his eleven companions to ask Pope Innocent III for official recognition. The Pope approved their mission, creating the Order of Friars Minor.

Starting the Poor Clares

In 1211, a young noblewoman named Clare of Assisi heard Francis speak. She wanted to follow the same simple life of service. On Palm Sunday in 1212, Clare left her home to join the movement.

Francis helped Clare establish a community for religious women at the chapel of San Damiano. This community became known as the Order of Poor Clares.

The Third Order for Daily Life

Many everyday people wanted to follow Francis's ideas but had families and jobs. To help them, Francis established the Third Order (now known as the Secular Franciscan Order).

Members of this group lived normal lives in their communities while practicing kindness, helping the poor, and living peacefully. The group spread across Europe rapidly.

Travels and Peace Mission in Egypt

St. Francis preaching to the birds, painted by the Master of Saint Francis.

Francis traveled across the Mediterranean to share his message of peace. In 1219, during the Fifth Crusade, Francis traveled to Egypt. A large Christian army was fighting Muslim forces near the city of Damietta.

Francis crossed enemy lines without weapons to meet the Sultan of Egypt, Al-Kamil. The Sultan welcomed Francis with great courtesy. The two leaders spoke together peacefully about faith and respect for several days.

Francis returned safely to Italy in 1220. Because of this respectful meeting, Franciscan friars were later permitted to live in the Holy Land as caretakers of historical shrines.

Final Years and Legacy

Saint Francis in prayer, painted by Cigoli.

Writing the Franciscan Rules

As thousands of people joined the Franciscan movement across Europe, Francis needed clearer guidelines for the order. In 1223, he wrote an updated rule that was officially approved by Pope Honorius III.

The rule taught friars to live simply, share goods, and treat all people with gentle respect. Soon after, Francis stepped down from administrative duties to focus on prayer.

The First Nativity Scene

In 1223, Francis visited the Italian mountain village of Greccio. To help people imagine the story of Christmas, he set up the first living nativity scene.

Francis used real straw, an ox, and a donkey in a cave to recreate the manger scene. People from surrounding towns gathered to celebrate together. This tradition became popular worldwide.

Final Days in Assisi

Saint Francis in the wilderness, 1638.

During his final years, Francis suffered from failing eyesight and severe illness. Despite his physical pain, he remained joyful and composed his famous poem, the Canticle of the Sun.

Francis spent his last days at the Porziuncola chapel near Assisi, surrounded by his close friends. He passed away peacefully on the evening of 3 October 1226 at about 44 years of age.

Two years later, on 16 July 1228, Pope Gregory IX made him an official saint. A magnificent church, the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, was built in Assisi in his honor.

Francis, Animals, and the Environment

Illustration of Saint Francis and the wolf of Gubbio by Carl Weidemeyer.

A garden statue of Saint Francis surrounded by birds.

Saint Francis is famous for his love of nature. He believed all created things were part of one big family under God. He referred to animals, plants, and elements as "brothers" and "sisters".

One famous story tells of Francis preaching to a flock of birds along the roadside. The birds gathered close to him and stayed quietly until he finished speaking.

Another well-known story took place in the town of Gubbio. A wild wolf was frightening the townsfolk. Francis met the wolf peacefully and arranged a pact: the townsfolk would feed the wolf, and the wolf would never harm them.

In 1979, Pope John Paul II declared Francis the patron saint of ecology. Many churches hold a special blessing of animals each year around Francis's feast day on 4 October.

Feast Day and Global Honors

The tomb of Saint Francis in Assisi.

A historical relic honoring Saint Francis.

Francis's feast day is celebrated on 4 October by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and other Christian groups.

In 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope and chose the name Pope Francis. He was the first pope in history to take the name, doing so to honor Francis's dedication to the poor and to nature.

Famous Writings by Saint Francis

An early printed collection of writings by Saint Francis.

Francis wrote in the everyday Italian language of Umbria so ordinary people could understand his message:

Canticle of the Sun (1224) – A poem thanking God for Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, and Sister Water.
Prayer before the Crucifix (1205) – A short prayer Francis said while rebuilding San Damiano.
The Earlier Rule (1221) and The Later Rule (1223) – Guidelines for how friars should live and work.
The Testament (1226) – Final advice Francis wrote to his followers before his death.

Saint Francis in World Art

For hundreds of years, famous artists have painted scenes from the life of Saint Francis.

Famous depictions of Francis of Assisi in art
St. Francis and scenes from his life, 13th century, in Santa Croce, Florence
Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata, Jan van Eyck, c. 1430–1432, Turin version
The Stigmatization of St Francis, Domenico Veneziano, 1445
Saint Francis in the Desert, Giovanni Bellini, c. 1480
Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata, Studio of El Greco, 1585–1590
Francis of Assisi with angel music, Francisco Ribalta, c. 1620
Saint Francis in Meditation, Francisco de Zurbarán, 1639
Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy, Jusepe de Ribera, 1639
Francis of Assisi visiting his convent while far away, in a chariot of fire, José Benlliure y Gil (1855–1937)
The Ecstasy of St. Francis, Stefano di Giovanni, 1444
Nazario Gerardi as Francis in The Flowers of St. Francis, 1950
Statue in Askeaton Abbey, Ireland, claimed to cure toothache, 14th–15th century
St Francis, Tiberio d'Assisi, 1470–1524
Ecstasy of St. Francis of Assisi, attributed to El Greco

Books and Films About Saint Francis

The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.

Statue of Saint Francis in Chania.

Statue in Funchal, Portugal.

Films and Television

The Flowers of St. Francis (1950), directed by Roberto Rossellini
Francis of Assisi (1961), starring Bradford Dillman
Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972), directed by Franco Zeffirelli
The Sultan and the Saint (2016), about his meeting with Sultan Al-Kamil
The Letter: A Message for our Earth (2022), a documentary about the environment and Francis's legacy

Selected Books

Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Paul Sabatier
St. Francis of Assisi by G. K. Chesterton
Saint Francis by Nikos Kazantzakis

Images for kids

Francis led through the streets in humility
Decorative carpet in São Manuel, Brazil
Logo used for local Ways of St. Francis
Icon of Saint Francis in Draganescu Church