Francis, † 3 Oct. 1226; noted for his charismatic personality, deep compassion for all, and love for God's creation; renounced wealth to follow "Lady Poverty"; deacon; founded the Franciscan Family which is made up today of the Friars Minor Capuchins [O.F.M. Cap.], numbering about 10,875 religious, the Conventuals [O.F.M. Conv.], c. 4,400 religious, and those of the Leonine Union [O.F.M.], c. 14,520 religious, Poor Clares, Third Order Religious, and Secular Franciscan Order; wrote Canticle of the Sun; received the stigmata 14 Sept. 1224; canonized only two years after his death; patron of ecologists and of Italy.