51. Canonization

Francis was born in Assisi in 1181 or 1182. Most of his life was spent in or near Assisi and it was in Assisi that he died. He died near the small Church of Saint Mary of the Angels. After his death his body was carried into Assisi after stopping at the Convent of San Damiano so that Clare and her sisters could see his body for the last time. Many citizens of Assisi were able to see the wounds in the body of Francis and Bonaventure relates that after death 'his limbs were so supple and soft to the touch that they seemed to have regained the tenderness of childhood and to be adorned with clear signs of innocence'. It is hardly surprising with such veneration by his brothers, by Clare and her sisters, by the people of Assisi, the viewing of the wonder of the marks of the stigmata, and the miracles that began to be worked immediately after his death that before long the Pope and Cardinals discussed whether or not he should be canonized. Francis died in 1226. Within two years the Pope had examined his cause and with the 'unanimous advice and consent of his brothers and of all the prelates who were then in the curia' decided 'that he should be canonized'. The Pope canonized Saint Francis in Assisi in 1228. Two years later, during a General Chapter in Assisi the brothers moved his body into the newly constructed basilica where the body remains to this day.