Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was an Italian Catholic friar and the founder of the Franciscan Order. Born into a wealthy family, he renounced his inheritance to live a life of poverty and devotion to God. He is renowned for his love of nature and all living creatures, and is the patron saint of animals and the environment. Francis is also the patron saint of Italy and one of the most venerated religious figures in Christian history.