Francis of Assisi

Legendary card · No. 2198

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (c. 19 August 1181 – 3 October 1226), known as Saint Francis of Assisi, (Italian: Francesco d'Assisi) was an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. Born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy, he was inspired towards a life of poverty and religious devotion as a young man and began his efforts by repairing chapels and caring for the sick in his hometown. Soon after, he gathered a band of followers in the city who joined in his lifestyle, and following a journey to Rome to meet Pope Innocent III, he received approval for the foundation of the Order of Friars Minor, which is commonly known as the Franciscan Order. Under his leadership, the order rapidly increased in size. Notable events in his religious career include his meeting with Clare of Assisi, who founded the Second Order of St. Francis commonly known as the Poor Clares, his journey to Egypt in 1219 in an attempt to convert the sultan Al-Kamil and...

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