Francis of Assisi was born in 1182 or 1183, and died in 1226. Since then, his memory has been kept alive both within and outside the Catholic Church. Even in our time, he holds a great appeal. Not only theologians, but also philosophers, historians, and fiction writers are constantly writing new books about him. The stories of Francis of Assisi have also been adapted for film numerous times.

Assisi in Umbria, where Francis spent much of his life, remains one of the Catholic Church's most important holy sites in Italy, along with La Verna, where Francis received one of his revelations. He was canonized as a saint early on, and has since held a unique position within Christianity and European cultural history. Who was he, and why did he acquire such a unique status and lasting influence, extending right up to the present day?