Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, OFM, better known as Francis of Assisi (Italian: Francesco d'Assisi; 1181 – 3 October 1226) was an Italian mystic and Catholic friar who founded the Franciscans.
He was inspired to lead a life of poverty and extreme sacrifice as an itinerant preacher administering to lepers.
St.Francis was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228 only 2 years after his death.
He is one of the earliest recorded recipients of the wounds of Jesus Christ, (the stigmata).