Despite having been born to Pietro di Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant, Francesco (born Giovanni) is the man who became known as the Poverello (“Poor Little Man”). He is arguably one of the most venerated religious figures in Roman Catholic history. Born in Assisi in the 12th century, Francis was a wealthy young man who gave up his privileged life to follow a path of poverty and service to others. He founded the Franciscan Order, dedicated to living a life of simplicity, humility and compassion.
Francis is known for his deep connection to nature and all living beings. Saint Francis of Assisi is the perfect example of how one person’s dedication to peace and love can have a lasting impact on the world.
I knew nothing of this though when we visited. Totally ignorant about one of the most important figures in the Catholic church, we turned up late in the afternoon, unsure of what to expect. I had, of course, heard of St Francis of Assisi, but that was all. Just a name. I didn’t know what to expect. When we spotted the enormous buildings perched on the hillside, I was blown away. The complex could easily have passed for a luxury hotel. It was massive.
Being a Saturday afternoon on a bank holiday just before Christmas, it was (as you’d imagine) packed. After the struggle to park, we made our way straight to the Basilica of Saint Francis, a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The basilica is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with intricate frescoes and stunning stained glass windows that tell the story of Saint Francis’ life. The lower basilica is spectacular inside. I was surprised to see a service where you were able to queue up to be blessed.
We had time to visit the incredible nativity made of sand and appreciate the winding streets of the town. Time was ticking though and I had to be back in Rome in a few hours, so reluctantly, we made our way back to the car and made our way back home.
What I really didn’t appreciate before visiting Assisi was how significant it is. A quick Google search tells me that some 6 million pilgrims visit Assisi each year to visit the tomb of Saint Francis. I will definitely come back here when I have a longer stay here. This was really just a flying visit.