Pope pays tribute to St. Francis of Assisi on 800th anniversary of his death
October 05, 2026
During his October 4 Sunday Angelus address (video), Pope Leo XIV reflected on the parable of the wicked husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-43) and paid tribute to St. Francis of Assisi.
“According to the image used in the parable, the vineyard to be cultivated with justice is the Church, which we build up or damage through our choices,” Pope Leo told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “In this regard, today—on the eighth centenary of his death—I wish to recall a laborer who worked with great fruitfulness in the Lord’s vineyard: Saint Francis of Assisi, whom Jesus himself asked to repair his Church.”
“Inspired by the Crucified One, Francis first and foremost built his own life upon the foundation of Christ, sharing in his poverty, joy and sufferings, even to the point of receiving the mystical sign of the stigmata,” the Pope continued. “ A man of fervent prayer, full of charity toward all, he was an example to the first friars who shared his asceticism as an authentic condition for the reform of the Church. Saint Francis repaired the Church by virtue of his faith in the Lord Jesus, healing the rifts of discord through the witness of fraternal love.”
Pope Leo continued:
Dear friends, the charism of Saint Francis continues to bear fruit even today, after eight centuries. This is attested to, not only by the great and vibrant Franciscan family but also by the many gifts that his spiritual legacy bestows upon the People of God. As we celebrate the Franciscan Jubilee Year, therefore, let us perseveringly ask for the gift of peace and sincerely commit ourselves to building harmony among peoples.
“May the intercession of Mary Most Holy, our Mother, always accompany us in this work,” the Pontiff concluded. “To her we now turn, spiritually united with the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Pompeii to offer the Supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary.”
The Pontiff then recited, in Latin, the Angelus, the Minor Doxology (three times), and the prayer for the faithful departed, before imparting his blessing.
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Further information:
- Angelus (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 10/4/26)
- Pope at Angelus: Saint Francis shows us how to build peace through fraternal love (Vatican News, 10/4/26)
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