Giotto di Bondone: The Legend of St Francis - The confirmation of the Rule (1297-1299)

(Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi, Italy)

A fresco which is part of a whole set which is dedicated to the life of Saint Francis. After preaching and gathering followers went to Rome to seek permission from Pope Innocent III to found a new religious Order. Pope Innocent III had a dream in which he saw Saint Francis holding up the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the cathedral of Rome), and by that 'upholding all Christendom'. On April 16, 1210 the pope officially confirmed the new 'Order of Friars Minor' or 'Franciscan Order'. Pope Innocent III is seen on the right with other church officials while Francis with his first 11 followers are on the left. Fresco from 1297-1299.