Francis of As ‧ si ‧ si, St /ˌfrɑːnsəs əv əˈsiːsi, ˌfrɑːnsɪs əv əˈsiːsi $ ˌfræn-/ BrE AmE
(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.