St. Francis of Assisi

The Latest

Martin Scorsese on the set of his new series on the life of the saints. The show premieres Sunday, Nov, 17, 2024, on Fox Nation.

11 things to know about Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Saints’

Nov 16, 2024

By Alyssa Murphy

Here are 11 things Catholics should know about the new docudrama series from Martin Scorsese called “The Saints,” premiering Nov.... Read more

Pope Francis delivers remarks at his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.

Pope Francis: True devotion to Mary always ‘points to Jesus’

Nov 13, 2024

By Kristina Millare

“Mary is always the mother that brings us to Jesus,” the Holy Father said. “Mary does not only point to... Read more

Pope Francis meets with young adults participating in the annual Economy of Francesco gathering on Sept 25, 2024, as the movement for economic change — inspired by the pope and St. Francis of Assisi — launches a permanent foundation.

Pope Francis to young economists: ‘Love is the first and greatest factor of change’

Sep 25, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Wednesday met with participants of the annual Economy of Francesco gathering as the movement launched a permanent... Read more

Cross overlooking the Casentino Valley.

PHOTOS: La Verna in Tuscany marks 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ stigmata

Sep 18, 2024

By Alexey Gotovskiy

Crowds gathered on Sept, 17 in the Casentino Valley in Italy for the 800th anniversary celebration of St. Francis of... Read more

Fresco by Giotto of St. Francis of Assisi embracing the Child Jesus at Christmas Mass in Greccio in 1223, located in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy.

St. Francis and the story of the first Nativity scene

Dec 23, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

One of the world’s most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi, loved Christmas so much that he created the first... Read more

The Vatican unveiled its annual Nativity scene on Dec. 9, 2023, paying special tribute to the origins of the beloved tradition on its 800-year anniversary.

Vatican unveils Nativity scene honoring St. Francis of Assisi and devotion’s 800-year-old origin 

Dec 9, 2023

By CNA Staff

The scene in St. Peter’s Square depicts not only Mary and Joseph standing beside the manager, but also St. Francis... Read more

Pope Francis gazes at a nativity scene during a meeting with two delegations at the Vatican Dec. 9, 2023 — a community from Macra, located in the Alps who provided this year’s Christmas tree, and people from the Diocese of Rieti, who donated this year's Nativity scene.

Pope Francis: Vatican Nativity scene should prompt prayers for the Holy Land 

Dec 9, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The pope made his remarks in a Saturday morning audience in Paul VI Hall with two delegations who donated the... Read more

Assisi | Oct. 4, 2023: The faithful gather to celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy.

Assisi celebrates St. Francis’ feast day on 800th anniversary of two significant works

Oct 4, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Crowds gathered in the beloved saint’s hometown to celebrate his life, his rule, and the Nativity scene in Greccio. Read more

Pope Francis meets with Latin American university rectors on Sept. 21, 2023, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ next environmental document to be called ‘Laudate Deum’

Sep 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ new document on the environment will be, he said, “a look at what has happened and say what... Read more

St. Francis of Assisi.

On Aug. 2, you can get this St. Francis-themed indulgence

Jul 28, 2023

By Carl Bunderson

The feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula and its associated indulgence is a way to focus on... Read more

Biagio Conte, a lay missionary based in Palermo, is seen doing a pilgrimage in a almost deserted street on March 20, 2020, in Palermo, Italy. Conte died Jan. 12, 2023, and his Jan. 17, 2023, funeral in Palermo was attended by thousands.

Thousands attend funeral of modern-day St. Francis in Italy

Jan 17, 2023

By CNA Staff

Thousands of people attended the Jan. 17 funeral of Biagio Conte, the lay missionary founder of the Hope and Charity... Read more

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PHOTOS: Italian play recalls St. Francis’ Nativity in Greccio

Dec 27, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Dec. 26, actors in Greccio, Italy put on a play telling the story of how St. Francis of Assisi... Read more

Mass in Assisi with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi on the feast of St. Francis, Oct. 4, 2022 Andrea Cova/Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

‘St. Francis helps us not to run from suffering’: Cardinal Zuppi offers Mass in Assisi

Oct 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

On the feast of St. Francis on Tuesday, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi offered Mass in Assisi in the basilica that holds... Read more

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

Assisi to host Mass for peace in Ukraine at the tomb of St. Francis

Feb 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Assisi is known as ‘the city of peace.’ Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2020.

10 things that Pope Francis wants us to learn from the nativity scene

Dec 17, 2021

By CNA Staff

The tradition was born in an unassuming town in 1223. Read more

Pope Francis at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy, Nov. 12, 2021.

Pope Francis in Assisi: ‘It is time that the poor be given back their voice’

Nov 12, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The pope met with a group of more than 500 poor people from across Europe. Read more

Pope Francis signs his new encyclical, Fratelli tutti, on the altar before the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 3, 2020. Photo

Pope Francis signs new encyclical ‘Fratelli tutti’ in Assisi

Oct 3, 2020

Pope Francis signed his new encyclical, Fratelli tutti, Saturday during a visit to Assisi.  Read more

Pope Francis pictured in St. Peter’s Square, March 29, 2017.

Pope Francis to release new encyclical on Oct. 4

Sep 16, 2020

Pope Francis will release his new encyclical Oct. 4, the Vatican announced Wednesday.   Read more

Pope Francis waves from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during an Angelus address.

Pope Francis urges Catholics to follow ‘God’s logic’

Aug 2, 2020

Pope Francis urged Catholics Sunday to follow “God’s logic” by taking responsibility for the welfare of others.  Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2018.

Pope's letter on nativity scenes shares the story behind a beloved Christmas tradition

Dec 1, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter Dec. 1 on the meaning and importance of nativity scenes, calling for this “wonderful... Read more