St. Francis of Assisi, one of the greatest saints in Catholic Church history, died in 1226. Now in 2026, we celebrate the 800th Anniversary of his death. Pope Leo XIV has declared 2026 a Franciscan Jubilee Year along with Plenary Indulgences and the relics of St. Francis are being displayed for veneration for the first time since his death, in Assisi, until March 22nd.
St. Francis has been an inspiration to Christians and non-Christians alike for centuries. Leaving a life of great wealth and prominence for poverty and penance, he followed the call of Christ to “rebuild” His Church. Attracting many followers, both male and female, he founded the first Franciscan order, the Friars Minor, and then, with St. Clare, the “Poor Clares” religious order for women. Living radical poverty, and dedicating his life to prayer and helping the poor, Francis’ call of rebuilding the Church continues to this day.
Teresa Tomeo hopes you will join her in honoring this pivotal saint. Below are resources to help you discover St. Francis in more depth, including her new book and video series on the places in Italy where Francis walked and lived. He is sure to be celebrated for many centuries to come!
EWTN Learn Series - Discover the Unknown Saint Francis
Free Video Series! Coming April 2026
A young man renounces his wealth, cares for lepers, and receives the Stigmata–the wounds of Christ. On the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, join host Teresa Tomeo in Italy as she explores the extraordinary life of this inspiring saint. Launching Soon – Sign Up Now!
Italy's Shrines and Wonders: Discovering Sacred Spaces and Fascinating Places in the Life of St. Francis of Assisi
“Make your trip to see the real Francis — beyond the caricatures and legends — and you’ll see why his personality had the power to change his world. It still has that power, and it can change yours and mine. The journey begins in these pages with Teresa Tomeo as our guide.”
—Mike Aquilina, Author, A History of the Church in 100 Objects
Featuring All the Important Places St. Francis Walked and Lived throughout Italy
Coming Soon in June 2026!
Click Here for More info!
Available for Pre-Order Now at:
Amazon & EWTN Religious Catalogue
“What a joyful, insightful and downright helpful guide! Teresa helps us all better know and understand the man — and the places associated with him — who resembled Jesus more than any other in history.”
—Fr. John Riccardo, Founder of Acts XXIX Ministry, www.actsxxix.org
Timeline of Major Events in the Life of St. Francis
- 1181 or 1182— Born in Assisi, Italy (Umbria), as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone. His father Pietro changed his name to Francis in honor of France.
- 1202— Fights in the Battle of Collestrada between Assisi and Perugia. He was captured and imprisoned for approximately one year in Perugia.
- 1205— He leaves for military service in Apulia (southern Italy) but has a vision at Spoleto and returns to Assisi. His conversion begins. He prays before the crucifix in the ruined church of San Damiano (just outside Assisi), hearing the call: “Repair my church.”
- 1206— Francis publicly renounces his inheritance and wealth before Bishop Guido in the square of Assisi. He strips off his clothes and is given a cloak by the bishop. He then lives as a hermit & penitent, repairs San Damiano church, and nurses lepers in Gubbio.
- 1208— At the Portiuncola (Santa Maria degli Angeli, a tiny chapel in the woods near Assisi), he hears the Gospel call to apostolic poverty and begins preaching barefoot in a simple habit. His first companions join him.
- 1209— With 11 brothers, he walks to Rome and receives oral approval of the primitive Rule from Pope Innocent III, beginning the Order of Friars Minor.
- 1212— He receives Clare of Assisi and she founds the Poor Clares Order. Francis attempts a mission to the Holy Land but is shipwrecked off the Dalmatian coast.
- 1215— Francis attends the Fourth Lateran Council in Rome and meets St. Dominic.
- 1219— He sails to the East during the Fifth Crusade to convert Sultan al-Kamil. He visits the Holy Land.
- 1223— Pope Honorius III formally approves the Final Rule of the Franciscans in Rome. On Christmas Eve, he creates the first live Nativity scene at Greccio.
- 1224— He receives the Stigmata (wounds of Christ)
- 1225— Nearly blind, he composes the Canticle of the Sun (Canticle of the Creatures).
- 1226— He dies October 3rd at the Portiuncola and is buried in the Church of San Giorgio in Assisi.
- 1228— Canonized by his friend Pope Gregory IX in Assisi and construction begins on the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. His body is moved there in 1230.
Resources
- Who Was St. Francis of Assisi? 12 Things to Know and Share - Jimmy Akin
- Everything You Should Know About Relics
- What is a Plenary Indulgence?
- How to Obtain the Franciscan Jubilee Year Plenary Indulgence
- Decree of the St. Francis Jubilee Year
- Prayer of St. Francis
- Litany to St. Francis of Assisi
- Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi
- St. Francis of Assisi: Founder of the Franciscan Order, Patron of Italy
- The real historical Francis is the Francis of the Church - Pope Benedict XVI
- Saint Francis of Assisi, Founder of the Friars Minor Biography
- Order of Friars Minor
Films & Documentaries
- The Pilgrims Begin Visiting the new Exhibition of St. Francis relics - EWTN Vaticano
- The First Image of St. Francis: Subiaco, Italy - EWTN Vaticano
- Where St. Francis of Assisi Received the Stigmata: A Visit to the La Verna Sanctuary - EWTN Vaticano
- The Year of St. Francis - EWTN Vaticano
- St. Francis of Assisi Movie (1961)
- How the Church Uncovered the Lost Tomb of St. Francis after 600 Years - ChurchPop
- St. Francis of Assisi: A Sign of Contradiction
- How St. Francis of Assisi Changed the World - Chris Stefanick
- Saint Francis - Living Divine Mercy TV Show (EWTN) Ep.108 with Fr. Chris Alar, M.I.C.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons