was born Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 or 1182 and died on
October 3, 1226. Baptized Giovanni, he would be pronounced a Saint by
Pope Gregory IX only two years after his death. This Catholic friar,
who was never ordained a priest, founded the Franciscan Order, the
Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for lay
Catholics. He is one of the most venerated religious figures in
history and the namesake of the current Catholic Pope Francis – Papa
Francesco.
