The prevailing tradition was to set saints in a place-less background, often gold to represent heaven. Giotto took a biographical approach, portraying 28 scenes of Francis’s life.

Clad simply in white, he bore a new name which paid homage to St Francis of Assisi, the 13th Century preacher and animal lover. He was determined to favour humility over pomp and grandeur.

There's an old saying often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words. While St. Francis likely never said those words, Pope Francis, who took ...

(NPR) — There’s an old saying often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words. While St. Francis likely never said those words, Pope Francis ...