The Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi

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'St Francis Receiving the Stigmata' by Antonio Raggi, church of Ss Stimmate di San Francesco

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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. He was canonised, less than two years, on July 16th 1228 by Pope Gregory IX. 

St Francis of Assisi is one of the two patron saints of Italy; the other being St Catherine of Siena.