In 2026, the world will mark 800 years since the death of St. Francis of Assisi, a figure whose humble life continues to resonate and inspire. Pilgrims, lovers of nature, travellers, spiritual seekers, and admirers of simplicity and peace will turn their eyes to Assisi and to the powerful legacy of a man who lived, quite literally, with nothing but faith.
At Walk the Camino, we specialise in Camino pilgrimage walks, and few paths are more moving than those that follow in the footsteps of St. Francis. As Assisi prepares for this major anniversary, now is the perfect time to reflect on his life, his impact, and why pilgrimage to Assisi remains so meaningful.
A Life That Changed the World
Born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 (or 1182), St. Francis of Assisi was the privileged son of a wealthy merchant. But his early life of comfort was upended by a spiritual awakening that led him to renounce his wealth and dedicate himself to a life of radical poverty, humility, and service to the poor.
Francis saw God in all things, especially in nature. He preached peace and fraternity, embraced lepers, rebuilt ruined chapels, and famously composed the Canticle of the Sun, praising Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and even Sister Death. His way of life gave birth to the Franciscan Order, which continues his mission to this day.
The 800th Anniversary: “Saint Francis Lives On”
The year 2026 is being commemorated under the theme “San Francesco Vive”: Saint Francis Lives On. In Assisi, the centrepiece of this historic year will be the first extended public display of the mortal remains of St. Francis, taking place from February 22 to March 22, 2026, at the Basilica of Saint Francis.
This unprecedented event invites pilgrims from around the world to venerate the saint’s remains in a space of contemplation, prayer, and spiritual renewal. It’s not just about looking back; it’s about rekindling the message of peace, simplicity, and joy that St. Francis embodied.
Reservations to attend the veneration are free but mandatory, and demand is already high, with hundreds of thousands of bookings expected. The friars of Assisi will also offer meditations and liturgies in several languages throughout the display.
For more, visit the official centennial website: sanfrancescovive.org.
Walking in the Footsteps of Francis
The Via di Francesco (Way of St. Francis) is a popular pilgrimage route through central Italy, stretching from Florence or La Verna to Assisi and on to Rome. It’s not only a spiritual journey but a path through quiet forests, medieval hilltowns, and sacred shrines.
This route embodies what pilgrimage has always been about, stripping away distractions to encounter something deeper. Along the way, walkers visit places where Francis lived, prayed, and served, including:
- San Damiano, the ruined church he rebuilt
- La Verna, the mountain where he received the stigmata
- Greccio, where he staged the first nativity scene
- And, of course, Assisi, where his body lies today
Whether you’re walking for faith, reflection, or a love of history, the path of Francis offers a profound experience.
St Francis and the Camino
According to Franciscan tradition, Francis himself walked to Santiago around 1214. Santiago was one of the three great medieval pilgrimages, alongside Rome and Jerusalem, and Francis made his journey with the main goal of preaching along the Camino while fulfilling his penance. This journey was the perfect way for him to spread his message of poverty and simplicity.
While it is impossible for us to know exactly where Francis travelled, his journeys in Spain are recorded in near-contemporary sources, such as the Vita Prima (1228–1229) and Legenda Maior (1263). And by the late-Middle Ages, his connection to the Camino was well established.
Recommended Reading: God’s Pauper by Nikos Kazantzakis
To deepen your understanding of Francis’s humanity and spiritual struggle, we strongly recommend Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel God’s Pauper: Saint Francis of Assisi.
Written with poetic intensity, this fictionalised biography captures the tension between the flesh and the spirit, the beauty of renunciation, and the wild passion with which Francis pursued the divine. Kazantzakis’ Francis is no plaster saint: he’s vivid, earthy, and achingly real. It’s a powerful companion to any pilgrimage or spiritual journey.
Why Francis Still Matters
800 years after his death, Francis remains a bridge between faiths, classes, and cultures. His message resonates with:
- Environmentalists, for his deep reverence for nature
- Peacemakers, for his refusal to take up arms
- Christians of all traditions, for his Christ-like simplicity
- And all people searching for meaning in a noisy, materialistic world
To walk in his footsteps is to rediscover how little we need and how much we can give. His way of life invites us not to escape the world, but to embrace it with open, grateful hearts.
Plan Your Pilgrimage in 2026
Whether you’re planning to visit Assisi for the anniversary or walk a longer route through Italy, now is the time to start preparing. At Walk the Camino, we help pilgrims and cultural travellers design unforgettable journeys, not only along the Camino de Santiago, but also through sacred paths like the Via di Francesco.
