1. St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis

2. Why Francis? Following his election as Pope, Francis I explained why he had chosen the name: Following his election as Pope, Francis I explained why he had chosen the name: “Immediately I thought of St Francis of Assisi. Francis was a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation.” He added “How I would like a church that is poor and that is for the poor” He added “How I would like a church that is poor and that is for the poor”

3. St. Francis of Assisi A Saint for Today Pope Francis has awakened the World to the beautiful message of St. Francis. It is a message that arrives at a time when the human race is at a crossroads. A crossroad not unlike the one the saint from Assisi confronted during the Middle Ages - corruption had engulfed and was destroying the Church and the European continent of his time. We need to love and care for each other more. Mankind here in the 21st Century must put aside its differences and come together to save our planet. To save God’s creation and everything/everyone in it.

4. St. Francis of Assisi St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, was born at Assisi in Italy, in 1181 and died there, 3 rd October, 1226. St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, was born at Assisi in Italy, in 1181 and died there, 3 rd October, 1226.

5. Francis who came from a rich family became for a time a wandering hermit. He spent time living amongst the lepers and caring for them. He also spent time repairing some of the ruined chapels in the vicinity and he spent many days in the isolation of caves, which were prolific around that region. Here he prayed for guidance and spiritual sustenance. Though most thought him a madman (a "religious nut" we might say) there were those who secretly admired him and wanted to know more about what "made him tick"? The first to join him was a wealthy young Assisian called Bernard of Quintavalle. Ten years later, there would be well over 3,000! Three years later in 1212, the first woman came to join Francis, Clare. Daughter of the aristocratic family by the name of Offraduccio, she was to become the Founder of the new movement known today as The Poor Clares. In 1209, Francis and eleven brother "friars" walked to Rome to meet with the Pope Innocent III. Francis presented to the Pope a simple Rule of Life for himself and his brothers composed of quotes from the Gospel.

6. Francis cultivated a mystical and deeply personal relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. This relationship was so profound, that for the last three years of his life, he bore the marks of the Crucified Jesus in his own body, known as stigmata. When he related to his fellow human beings, it was through the eyes and heart of Jesus. When he embraced that leper on the road near Assisi, it was not only a hideous leper whom he kissed but also the very person of Jesus, incarnate in the leper. For Francis, Jesus was present in every human person, but particularly in the poor and outcasts.

7. St. Francis of Assisi implored his followers to  live simply and love much, to respect and cry out to every part of nature in praise of the Almighty  offer service unceasingly to the needy lift up and honour all that is good and holy in our surroundings Pope Francis has encouraged us to do the same: We have been given a beacon to guide us through the darkness, a light for all to see. Let’s follow the light.

8. Laudato Si Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si', is a profound invitation to everyone on the planet to care for our common home. Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si', is a profound invitation to everyone on the planet to care for our common home. The Encyclical takes its name from the invocation of St Francis of Assisi: 'Laudato Si’, meaning 'Praise be to you, my Lord', which in the Canticle of the Creatures written by St. Francis calls to mind that the earth, our common home, 'is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.' which in the Canticle of the Creatures written by St. Francis calls to mind that the earth, our common home, 'is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.'.

9. Prayer for Our Earth Creator God, open our eyes to see your love throughout creation. Inspire us to treat creation and each other as you would, with respect and compassion. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, Amen.

10. Prayer for Our World God of life, help us to see your gifts are meant to be shared by all, not just exploited by a few. Lead us to take action to make a change not just for ourselves, but for all creation. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

11. Prayer for Our World Amen. God of wonder, open our eyes to see you in all that you have created. Through the contemplation of your goodness, move us to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and with the earth that we share. Amen.

12. Prayer for Our World God of all, you so loved the world that you sent your only Son to redeem all creation. Grant that we may follow Christ’s example of compassion and never forget the impact of all that we do for the earth and one another. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Redeemer of all, Amen.

13. Prayer of St. Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.