Assisi was the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order in the town in 1208, and St. Clare, the founder of the Poor Sisters. Saint Francis of Assisi was born as in Assisi on 26th September 1182. He was the founder of the Order named after him and is venerated as a Saint by the Catholic Church. He died on 3rd October 1226. Two years later, July 16th 1228, through the work of Pope Gregory IX, he was canonized as a Saint. Pope Pius XII, in 1939, declared him “Patron Saint of Italy”. He is also known as the “Poor Man of Assisi” and his tomb is visited by thousands of devout followers every year. The town of Assisi, because of its illustrious citizen, became the symbol of peace, especially after hosting the big three meetings between representatives of the major religions of the world, promoted by John Paul II in 1986 and in 2002, and Benedict XVI in 2011. Today, St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most popular and revered saints in the world.