Anniversary Year

The Beginnings of Franciscan Life

Some time in the year 1209, Francis of Assisi and his eleven companions walked into the august Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome for an audience with Pope Innocent III. A papal residence since 324, the basilica gave up this claim when 16th century popes began living in what is today known as Vatican City. In 1209, however, St. John Lateran was the earthly center of the Roman Catholic Church. Francis along with his 11 companions traveled the 186 kilometers from Assisi to Rome along ancient roads to ask Innocent for oral approval of their Franciscan way of life. Innocent - having dreamt of Francis holding up a disintegrating Basilica of St. John Lateran - heartily granted the approval, thus helping to solidify the Franciscan Order.

Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome, Italy

This year marks 800 years since Francis' fateful visit to the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Devoted to a life of poverty and imitating Jesus, Francis also loved the Church. Before starting out for Rome he said, "Brothers, I see that the Lord mercifully wants to increase our congregation. Then, going to our mother, The holy Roman Church, let us inform the Supreme Pontiff what the Lord has begun to do through us, that, with his will and command, we may continue doing what we have undertaken" (The Legend of Three Companions).

Piazza del Comune, Assisi

To Francis, there was no life outside of the Church. He demonstrated this quite literally in 1206 by rebuilding the church of San Damiano, just downhill from Assisi. This process of rebuilding San Damiano was a major step in Francis' conversion experience.

Pope Innocent III orally approves the Franciscan way of life

Conversions are not momentary events. They are lifelong experiences marked by instances when we move one step closer to God. To celebrate the 800th anniversary of Pope Innocent's approval of Franciscan life, we will feature on this webpage weekly links to key events in Francis' life that brought the great saint closer to God.