Pope Benedict Highlights Francis of Assisi's

Impact on the World

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

On January 27 during his general audience at Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI spoke at length about the impact St. Francis of Assisi had on the world. Francis revitalized the Church; he embraced Jesus completely and was not concerned with wealth or power. His life of poverty and service to others in imitation of Christ gave the Church new and much needed energy.

Francis of Assisi in dialogue with Sultan Melek-el-Kamel

Among the many points that the Holy Father made about St. Francis of Assisi, one that stood out in particular touched on Francis’ trip to Egypt in 1219 during one of the Crusades from Europe. While in Egypt, Francis entered into dialogue with Sultan Melek-el-Kamel and was becuase of this able to travel through the country and preach the Gospel. Francis was not a man of violence. He saw the humanity in everyone – no matter what his or her faith might be – and preferred dialogue and openness to coercion. The Franciscan way is certainly pertinent in today’s world where conflict and tension are prevalent and dialogue often lacking.

(Sources of related images on webpage and homepage: www.franciscans.org and www.wikipedia.org.)