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Francis was born in Assisi in the year 1182. A happy care-free young man, he came to renounce his family inheritance and gave himself resolutely to God, embracing poverty, living the life of the Gospel, and proclaiming to everyone the love of God. The excellent formative principles he gave to his followers were approved by the Holy See. He laid down the foundations also for the Order of Poor Clares and the Third Order of Penance for people living in the world, and prepared the way for an apostolate among the non-Christian peoples. He died in the year 1226. He was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228.
