St. Francis of Assisi (1181/82–1226) is one of the most beloved saints, famed for his radical embrace of poverty and joyous love of God’s creation. Born Giovanni Bernardone to a wealthy merchant family in Assisi, Italy, he lived a carefree youth. A series of events – including illness and a mystical call from Christ to “rebuild my Church” – led Francis to renounce his wealth and live as a poor beggar. He founded the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans), attracting followers with his genuine humility, peace, and charity. Francis sought to imitate Christ completely: he cared for lepers, preached to both the poor and the powerful, and even brokered peace during the Crusades by meeting the Sultan. He had a deep kinship with animals and nature, famously preaching to birds and taming a wolf, seeing all creatures as brothers and sisters praising the Creator. In 1224, Francis became the first recorded person to receive the stigmata (the wounds of Christ) on his body, underscoring his profound unity with Jesus. His poetic “Canticle of the Sun” reflects his spirit of gratitude. Francis died on October 3, 1226, singing Psalm 142. He was canonized two years later. Today he is honored as the patron of ecology and a model of peacemaking and gospel living.