St. Francis of Assisi was born in 1181 in Italy. His family was very wealthy, so Francis lived a very carefree life of drinking, partying, and women. In 1202, war broke between Assisi and Perugia, and Francis took his place in the cavalry. 

   He was dressed like an aristocrat, in new, expensive armour. He was quickly captured, and taken as prisoner. During these months in this dank prison cell, he had claimed to have seen a vision of God. After he was ransomed out, he was riding a horse when he saw a leper. Normally, he would’ve run away from the leper, but Francis saw this leper as a sign from God; he saw the leper as Jesus, but incognito. He embraced the leper and kissed him, later telling about the sweet taste in his mouth. Suddenly, his old life of partying and drinking didn’t appeal to him. 

   Francis completely devoted himself to Christianity. He disposed of all of his belongings, and left Assisi. His family was very unhappy with these changes, and his father even beat Francis, but Francis renounced his father. 

   Francis tried to spread the word of God to the people of the town, and many people said Francis was a madman, and a fool (even giving him the nickname ‘God’s Fool’), but Francis’ message was spread, and thousands of people were captivated with what Francis had to say. 

   Francis later died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44, but two years later, he was canonised as a saint by Pope Gregory IX.