Character Catalog

A lyric poem written in the Umbrian vernacular, considered the first major literary text in Italian, celebrating all creatures as brothers and sisters. It reflects a spirituality of nature unique in the Middle Ages.

The founding text of the Franciscan Order, approved by Pope Honorius III. It establishes the principles of absolute poverty, obedience, and itinerancy for the preaching friars.

Dictated shortly before his death, this spiritual autobiography recounts his conversion and reaffirms the ideal of radical poverty. An invaluable document for understanding his authentic thought.

By gathering his first companions and obtaining the oral approval of Pope Innocent III, Francis created one of the most influential mendicant orders in the history of the Church.

At Greccio, Francis organized the first living reenactment of the Nativity to make the mystery of the Incarnation tangible to ordinary people. This tradition spread throughout Catholic Christendom.

A prayer composed after receiving the stigmata, written in the hand of Brother Leo on a parchment preserved in Assisi. A spiritual testament from the final period of his life.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High.

This is the rule and life of the Lesser Brothers: to observe the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without anything of one's own, and in chastity.

The Lord granted me, Brother Francis, to begin to do penance in this way: while I was in sin, it seemed very bitter to me to see lepers. And the Lord himself led me among them, and I had mercy on them.

Brother Leo, your lamb, Brother Francis wishes you health and peace. I say to you, my son, as a mother would: all the words we spoke on the road, I sum up in this one piece of advice.

Francis's birthplace and the cradle of the Franciscan movement. The Basilica of Saint Francis, built after his canonization, is a world pilgrimage site and UNESCO World Heritage landmark.

A small chapel near Assisi where Francis founded his order in 1208 and where he died in 1226. It is now enshrined within a vast basilica built in the 16th century.

A secluded mountainous site in Tuscany given to Francis by a local nobleman. It was here that he received the stigmata in 1224 during a spiritual retreat.

An Egyptian port besieged during the Fifth Crusade, where Francis traveled in 1219 to meet Sultan al-Kamil, seeking conversion through dialogue rather than combat.

A humble, crumbling chapel where Francis heard the voice of Christ calling him to rebuild His Church. He restored it with his own hands, and Clare of Assisi later established her convent there.