Francis of Assisi, StFrancis of As‧si‧si, St /ˌfrɑːnsəs əv əˈsiːsi $ ˌfræn-/(1182–1226) an Italian Christian leader who started the Franciscan order (=a group of religious men who live and pray together). He is known for his love of nature, and is often shown in pictures surrounded by birds and animals.