Franciscans

The Franciscans are a Catholic religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. They are dedicated to poverty, preaching, and service to the poor. Currently, they are newsworthy due to two distinct events. Firstly, in Jerusalem, the head of the Franciscans for the Holy Land, along with the Latin Patriarch, was reportedly prevented by Israeli police from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday mass, marking a significant disruption to traditional observances. This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding religious freedom and access to holy sites in the region. Secondly, in Assisi, Italy, the bones of St. Francis are on public display to commemorate the 800th anniversary of his death. This event draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and underscores the enduring significance of St. Francis and the Franciscan order within Catholicism and beyond.