He grew up in Assisi as the son of a wealthy merchant, and was a wild young bon vivant: he loved to sing, and was a troubadour; he loved fine clothes. But when the town of Assisi fought Perugia when Francis was twenty, he was captured and spent a year in prison. Once free, he completely changed his life: he gave all he owned to the poor, he tended lepers, and preached a message of poverty, humility, and joy.
Francis spent years wandering, preaching, and singing canticles. He set up a community to live by his ideals. At that time, the Catholic Church embodied the strictest type of hierarchy; Francis preached a humble faith, much closer to the life of Christ.
-continue to the famous Basilica in Assisi
