Saint Francis of Assisi (†1226), was an Italian Roman Catholic friar and preacher who founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women's Order of Saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history. He is a Holy Patron of animals; the environment; Italy; merchants; San Francisco, California, Naga City, Cebu, tapestry workers.