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  3. Saint Francis ~ Pope Francis I

Saint Francis ~ Pope Francis I

Pope Francis listens to questions during a news conference aboard the papal flight on its way back from Brazil, Monday, July 29, 2013. Pope Francis reached out to gays on Monday, saying he wouldn't judge priests for their sexual orientation in a remarkably open and wide-ranging news conference as he returned from his first foreign trip. "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" Francis asked. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, signed a document in 2005 that said men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be priests. Francis was much more conciliatory, saying gay clergymen should be forgiven and their sins forgotten. Francis' remarks came Monday during a plane journey back to the Vatican from his first foreign trip in Brazil. (Luca Zennaro / Ansa)
Pope Francis listens to questions during a news conference aboard the papal flight on its way back from Brazil, Monday, July 29, 2013. Pope Francis reached out to gays on Monday, saying he wouldn't judge priests for their sexual orientation in a remarkably open and wide-ranging news conference as he returned from his first foreign trip. "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" Francis asked. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, signed a document in 2005 that said men with deep-rooted homosexual tendencies should not be priests. Francis was much more conciliatory, saying gay clergymen should be forgiven and their sins forgotten. Francis' remarks came Monday during a plane journey back to the Vatican from his first foreign trip in Brazil. (Luca Zennaro / Ansa)

“Francis, repair my Church which, as you can see, is falling into ruins.”  Words heard by St. Francis of Assisi

October 4 is a day Christians celebrate St. Francis of Assisi, the namesake of Pope Francis I. Who was Francis? And how is Pope Francis working to restore some of the charisms of this 13th century saint?

Today, October 4, Pope Francis visits Assisi where he will meet those helped by the charity Caritas, celebrate Mass, pray at St. Francis’ tomb and speak about his vision for the Church.  

A man of simplicity and humility, Pope Francis I leads the Catholic Church on a journey of caring for the poor, welcoming all people and speaking in a voice of love, acceptance and courage. Finally…again.

Happy Feast Day, Francis!  

(S-R archives photo: Pope Francis I)

Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.