St Francis of Assisi
12th–13th century · Assisi, Italy · Christianity (Franciscans)
Francis, the son of a rich cloth merchant of Assisi in Italy, gave up his wealth to live in poverty, serving the poor and the sick, including lepers. He founded the Franciscan order of friars. Known for his gentleness and his love of nature, he called the sun, moon and all creatures his brothers and sisters in his Canticle of the Creatures. Stories tell of him preaching to birds and taming a wolf.
Assisi, Italy · Franciscan order · Canticle of the Creatures