Who Is Francis of Assisi?
Giovanni Bernardone was born in either 1181 or 1182. He was born into a rich mercantile family in Assisi in present day Italy. His father, Pietro Bernardone, was a cloth merchant while his mother came from a noble family. Pietro was business man who had to travel to get product to trade. He is said to been a Francophile (lover of France) and actually was in France on business at the time of his sons birth. When the father returned, he nicknamed his son Francis after the country. Francis had a fairly normal childhood and lived what might be called a pampered life. He was wealthy, well liked, and enjoyed partying with friends. He was a natural leader and good athlete. When Francis was about 20, war broke out between Assisi and the neighboring town: of Pagonia??? Francis joined those from his hometown and went off to battle. The war did not go well for Assisi or for Francis. Francis was taken prisoner and held as a prisoner of war for approximately one year. During his year of captivity F
