Saint Francis of Assisi

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Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke about the "courage" and the "madness" of working for peace during his homily during the  Mass of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God, on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Pro-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate, in Jerusalem.

The Church in the Holy Land rings in the new year with pleas for peace

Jan 1, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa challenged Christians of the Holy Land to “make a difference.” Read more

A young alpha male wolf (Canis lupus), looks for food in the Finnish taiga in Hukkajarvi area, Eastern Finland near Russian border, on July 5, 2023.

Did St. Francis really tame a savage wolf? A look at the legend

Oct 4, 2023

By Jonah McKeown, Kate Olivera

A historic church sits on the spot where, as the story goes, St. Francis of Assisi made a pact with... Read more

Giotto's Nativity fresco projected on the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

Assisi is illuminated with Giotto’s frescoes this Christmas season

Dec 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Assisi debuted its Giotto Christmas light display in December 2020, but Italy’s coronavirus restrictions last year prevented people from visiting. Read more

Pope Francis meets with the Seraphic Institute of Assisi on Dec. 13, 2021.

Pope Francis: The value of a person is not determined by ability

Dec 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

In a meeting with disabled children and their caregivers at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that if disability or illness... Read more

Students at The Catholic University of America posing with Delilah the Camel at the school's annual "Greccio" live nativity event on Dec. 12, 2021.

Live nativity scene (camel included) gives Catholic University students a welcome study break

Dec 12, 2021

By Shannon Mullen

On Sunday night, Dec. 12, Delilah the Camel was the B.M.O.C. (Biggest Mammal on Campus) at The Catholic University of... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square Oct. 2, 2019.

Pope Francis to sign a new encyclical on human fraternity on Oct. 3

Sep 5, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis will sign the third encyclical of his pontificate in Assisi on Oct. 3.  Read more

Interreligious meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria May 6, 2019.

Pope Francis in Bulgaria: Peace is a gift and a task

May 6, 2019

By Courtney Mares

At an interreligious meeting in Bulgaria Monday, Pope Francis told Orthodox, Muslim, and other religious leaders that peace is both... Read more

Pope Francis prays in Assisi's Porziuncola, Aug. 4, 2016.

Pope Francis praises Assisi's new 'sanctuary of renunciation'

Apr 17, 2017

Pope Francis on Sunday thanked Assisi's bishop for creating a shrine dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi's divestiture, when he... Read more

St. Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis and his star role in the Pope's new encyclical

Jun 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' new encyclical is filled with references to his namesake, whom the Pope says is a model of how... Read more