800 Years After His Death, the Legends and Legacy of Francis of Assisi Endure

800 years after his death, the legends and legacy of Francis of Assisi endure

On the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, his body will be displayed for the first time ever in February 2026, at the Basilica of San Francesco. Millions of visitors are expected to converge in the small Tuscan town of Assisi to honor the 13th-century saint. Francis, who died on Oct. 4, 1226, espoused care for the poor and reverence for the natural world. Those values were reflected centurie…

Hundreds of thousands register to venerate relics of St. Francis of Assisi

This will be the first public display of the beloved saint’s bodily remains. About 350,000 people have registered to venerate the relics of St. Francis of Assisi — the first public display of the bodily [...]