By Francesca Lungarotti

October 4, 2026, marked the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. This anniversary offers an opportunity to celebrate a historical figure who profoundly influenced humanity and spiritually through the values ​​of simplicity, brotherhood, and charity. He opened the human mind to Creation, to Nature, and to the living beings around us, revolutionizing our perspective and promoting the idea that we are part of the universe rather than its center.

The story of Saint Francis is that of a man who encounters God through Nature—one who speaks with wolves and birds, and calls the Sun and Moon his brothers. Yet, it is fundamentally the story of a radical change of course: breaking established norms to rediscover a connection with oneself through creation.

Francis was born in 1181 or 1182 to Pietro di Bernardone, a cloth merchant, and the noblewoman Pica, who was likely of French origin. He learned to read and write in Latin. His youth was spent in comfort and without serious hardship.  As he grew into a young adult, his exuberant love for life and his worldly spirit made him a recognized leader among the young people of Assisi.

In 1202, he took part in the conflict between Assisi and Perugia; he was held prisoner for nearly a year and fell seriously ill upon his release. After recovering, towards the end of 1205, he attempted to join the papal troops. However, during the journey, he experienced a vision or dream urging him to return to Assisi and await the call to a new form of chivalry. He returned home and devoted himself to solitude and prayer in order to understand God’s will for him.

There are countless episodes marking his conversion to the apostolic life: a vision of Christ while praying in a cave near Assisi; an experience of poverty during a pilgrimage to Rome; and the incident where he gave alms to a leper and kissed his hand. Among these episodes, the most significant (according to his disciple and first biographer, Thomas of Celano) took place at the dilapidated little church of San Damiano, outside the walls of Assisi. There, Francis heard the crucifix above the altar command him: “Go, Francis, and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin.” Interpreting the command literally, Francis hurried home, took some fine fabrics from his father’s shop, and rode to the nearby city of Foligno, where he sold both the goods and his horse. He then tried to offer the proceeds to the priest at San Damiano. When the priest refused, Francis threw the money out the window. Angered, his father confined him to the house and reported him to the civil authorities. When Francis failed to answer the summons, his father brought him before the Bishop of Assisi. Before any formal accusation could be made, Francis “stripped off his clothes without saying a word, removing even his undergarments, and returned them to his father.”  Completely naked, he said: “Until now, I have called you father on earth. But from this moment on, I can truly say: Our Father who art in heaven.” Astonished, the bishop offered him a cloak, and Francis set off for the woods of Mount Subasio. The story of Saint Francis offers a source of immense artistic inspiration and fascination. The greatest artists of all time (Giotto, to name but one) have succeeded in making visible and tangible both his power and his gentleness: the strength to shatter conventions, coupled with the tenderness to observe and love Creation and one’s fellow human beings.

The spirit of Saint Francis permeates many places associated with him, especially the city of Assisi, the heart of Franciscanism and locations often set amidst nature, such as Mount Subasio, the Eremo delle Carceri, and Gubbio.

Gubbio is linked to the famous encounter between Francis and the wolf, standing as a significant symbol of reconciliation, dialogue, and a message of peace and coexistence.Today, more than ever, the legacy of Saint Francis deserves to be at the heart of everyone’s interest.  While deeply spiritual in nature, the celebrations marking this occasion will also appeal to an international audience.

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Source: Brady, Ignatius Charles, Cunningham, Lawrence. “St. Francis of Assisi”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Francis-of-Assisi. Accessed 7 October 2026.