One of the few saints who is also highly valued outside of Christianity is San Francesco, known in German-speaking countries as Francis of Assisi. Francis, whose statue we find here with his arms stretched up to heaven, was born in Assisi in 1181/82 and died in 1226. In his youth, the son of wealthy parents, he was more of a bon vivant, but later turned to Christ. In the half-ruined little church of San Damiano, located on the hillside outside the city walls of Assisi, he was praying one day and heard the voice of Christ coming down from the cross, calling on him to “rebuild his church”. At first he took this request literally and restored the church building; later he realized that this was primarily about the church as the community of believers.
Francis became a role model for many people, they joined him, and the "Order of Friars Minor" (Ordo Fratrum Minorum) of Francis of Assisi was created. Today there are three male branches in the broad Franciscan religious family: the Franciscans, the Minorites and the Capuchins; as well as two female ones: the Franciscan Sisters and the Poor Clares. In addition, there is the “Third” or “Secular” Order, which can be joined by women and men who do not take the classic religious vows (poverty, chastity and obedience) and continue to live in their family and their profession.