Mon Apr 21 11:20:36 UTC 2025: ## Pope Francis’s namesake: St. Francis of Assisi’s legacy of peace and environmentalism celebrated in Assisi
**ASSISI, Italy (April 21, 2025)** – The 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s celebrated “Canticle of Creatures” is prompting renewed reflection on the life and enduring influence of the medieval saint. His legacy of peace, poverty, and environmental stewardship continues to resonate globally, particularly through the papacy of Pope Francis, who chose his name in homage.
Located in Assisi, Italy, St. Francis’ birthplace, the Basilica di San Francesco houses a collection of Giotto frescoes depicting pivotal moments in the saint’s life, including his renunciation of material possessions. This act of “spogliazione,” or stripping, is seen as symbolic of his devotion to God and his love for nature. The Basilica also houses the tomb of St. Francis, drawing pilgrims from around the world.
Bishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi highlighted St. Francis’s connection to nature, emphasizing the saint’s message of respecting creation as a gift from God. This message aligns directly with Pope Francis’s environmental encyclicals, which draw heavily from Franciscan themes. The Pope’s choice of name, according to Rev. Enzo Fortunato, signifies a commitment to peace, poverty, and brotherhood.
St. Francis’s interfaith dialogue with a Muslim sultan during the Crusades serves as a model for interfaith understanding, a concept furthered by Pope John Paul II. The legacy also extends to St. Clare, founder of the Poor Clares order, who followed St. Francis’s example of radical poverty. Further highlighting the continuing impact of St. Francis’s ideals, the soon-to-be canonized Blessed Carlo Acutis, a millennial, will become the church’s first millennial saint, interred in the Santuario della Spogliazione. His life exemplifies the enduring power of St. Francis’s message.
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