The Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi

St Francis by Carlo Monaldi, St Peter's Basilica

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October 4th is the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. 

St Francis, who was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, was the founder of the Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Order of Friars Minor), better known as the Franciscans.

Francesco, as he came to be known, died on October 3rd 1226. Less than two years later, on July 16th 1228, he was canonised by Pope Gregory IX. 

St Francis of Assisi and St Catherine of Siena are the two patron saints of Italy. 

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