St Francis – the man behind the stories

St Francis of Assisi is the Patron Saint of Italy, founder of the Franciscan order and the world’s most beloved saint. 2026 marks the 800th anniversary of his death and his relics will be on public display within the Basilica of Assisi from 22nd February until 22nd March 2026.

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But what do we know of St Francis? Quite a bit as it happens. He wrote letters, prayers, poems and the 2 rules for his religious order. There were also biographies written at the time. Let’s take a look at how Francis went from privileged young man to a monk sworn to a life of poverty.

The life of blessed St Francis

A contemporary and disciple of St Francis, Thomas of Celano, wrote a book entitled Vita Prima, a work on the saint’s life. We discover that it was a 'riches to rags' tale, as St Francis was neither poor nor saintly in his youth. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant and Francis led a privileged life. Until the age of 25, St Francis wasted and squandered his time miserably in pursuit of practical jokes and idle gossip; he was easy going and affable but also rich and arrogant.

Only when he became seriously ill did Francis reflect on his life and change. Called il Poverello, the little poor one, he devoted himself to a life of poverty and simplicity, following the teachings of Christ and in his footsteps.

St Francis believed that although he and his friars lived in poverty it was to everyone’s conscience to decide how they lived. In fact, he was never critical of the church. So when in 1209 St Francis sought permission from the Pope to found a new religious order, the official founding of the Franciscan order was granted.

Francis sent his friars two by two throughout the world, proclaiming peace to mankind and repentance. The Franciscans promoted their rule of poverty, charity and obedience, which is what the three knots on their belts represent.

The Franciscans and Florence

Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence

The first followers of St Francis arrived in Florence in 1209, followed later in 1211 by St Francis himself. Although dates can differ, the general consensus is that the Franciscans founded their church of Santa Croce in 1221. They have occupied it ever since.

Santa Croce church is the largest Franciscan church in the world and the Pantheon of Florence. It is where all the great and good are buried, including Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei. Wondering through the monumental complex, you’ll find more than 4000 works of art.

Art and the Franciscans

The teachings of the Franciscans referred to God as human; he had taken flesh, walked amongst us, lived within a family. And it was this innovation of Christianity, that led to the innovation of art.

Artists such as Cimabue and Giotto responded to these new ideas, and Christ was painted with more realism and emotion, supplanting the Byzantine Style that had focused on the heaven and spiritual which was visually unknown to us.

Giotto's Death of St. Francis (early 1320s) with overpainting removed

Through his preachings, St Francis had contributed to the development and change in art during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Legends and Miracles

Many miracles were attributed to St Francis; lepers were cleansed, the blind received their sight and the crippled began to walk.

Many of the stories that surround his life are connected to his love for animals, for example St Francis and the wolf of Gubbio (which you can read about here).  You will often see St Francis depicted with birds which symbolise the spread of the Franciscan Order throughout the world.

Legend has it that St Francis on his deathbed thanked his donkey for carrying and helping him throughout his life, and his donkey wept.

Death & Burial

Nearing the end of his life, he received the stigmata, making him the first person to bear the 5 wounds of Christ. He died two years later on 3rd October 1226 within the Cappella del Transito, which is now located within the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli. His final resting place lies 4km away, in Assisi.

The Basilica of San Francesco

The Basilica di San Francesco in Assisi

Two years after the saint’s death, Francis was canonised and a day later they began the construction of the basilica. He lies in the crypt.

By the mid 1400's pilgrims were flocking to Assisi from all parts of Europe. Today the basilica is among the most visited of Christian shrines.

If you would like to know more about St. Francis and his friars in Florence all you need to do is book a tour with Floeasy.