Francis of Assisi
c. 1181 – 1226 · Assisi (Italy)
Founder of the Franciscans
Awaiting theological review
In one sentence
A merchant's son who embraced poverty to follow the Gospel literally.
Why this person matters
He renewed the Church by living the Gospel simply — and his brothers carried that life across the world.
Around 1205–1206 he broke with his father and began to live in poverty, rebuilding churches near Assisi.
Pope Innocent III approved his way of life orally around 1209–1210.
In 1219 he went to Egypt and met Sultan al-Kamil during the Fifth Crusade.
Key ideas
- Poverty as freedom to follow Christ
- All creatures as brothers and sisters
Why they still matter
The Franciscan family remains one of the largest in the Church.
Before
- Gregory the Greatc. 540 – 604
Contemporary
- Clare of Assisi1194 – 1253
- Dominic de Guzmánc. 1170 – 1221
After
- Albert the Greatc. 1200 – 1280
- Canticle of the Creatures
- Rule of 1223
- Testament
- Historical context
Statements are labelled by source. Early Christian sources are named where known; dates before the 4th century are often approximate.