How Assisi marks 800 years since St Francis's death and why he still embodies peace

Today we honour Francis as a man of peace and diplomacy. On the 800th anniversary of his death and 4 October's holiday, Euronews looks back on his meeting with Egypt's sultan and on the enduring lessons of this charismatic figure.

In 2026, on 4 October, the day dedicated to Saint Francis, became a national holiday . In Assisi the celebrations are entering their peak in these very days and the epicentre will be the Upper Basilica. At 23:59 on Saturday 3 October the bells will ring out in celebration, marking the start of the official ceremonies.

From this year, 4 October has once again become a national holiday to celebrate the universal values of peace, fraternity, solidarity and respect for the environment embodied by Saint Francis of Assisi.

On Sunday, the first national holiday dedicated to the saint, the ceremony will be attended by President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and ambassadors from all over the world because, as Euronews is told by Friar Giulio Cesareo , director of the Communications Office of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, "Francis is not a gift only for Italy but for the world".

But who was Saint Francis and why does his appeal remain so powerful 800 years after his death?

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