One could safely say that Francis of Assisi's life — and afterlife — is defined by paradox.

He embraced poverty, yet lies entombed today in a grand basilica in his native Assisi, Italy, with frescoes by renowned medieval artists.

He advocated meekness, yet hundreds of thousands venerated his remains when they went on public display earlier this year to commemorate 800 years since his death on October 3, 1226.

Thousands came to venerate the saint's remains earlier this year, amid wide media coverage Image: Emanuela Bianconi/IPA/ZUMA/picture alliance

So, why has this Catholic saint inspired papal encyclicals , ecological activism, global pet‑blessing rituals and even the propaganda of former Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini? And what might Francis make of this fame that he'd shunned while alive?

From riches to rags

Born in Assisi, a hill town in central Italy, in 1181 or 1182, he was first named Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone.…