St. Francis to Pope Francis

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

2026 marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, whose relics will be displayed publicly for the first time this year. The course will focus on the life and death of Saint Francis, including many of his writings, his work with St. Clare of Assisi, founding the Franciscan Order, the Canticle of the Sun, and his other theological texts. We will read Thomas of Celano's vita and examine the swift canonization process of St. Francis. It's impossible to understand the vision that Pope Francis had for his papacy without understanding his medieval namesake, whose ministry espoused care for the poor and the environment. By reading parts of Pope Francis's autobiography (Hope) and his most celebrated papal encylical (Laudato Si), we will understand how this Jesuit pope framed his papacy around the medieval Franciscan's identity.