Editing Franciscans (section)

===Beginnings===
In 1209, a sermon Francis heard on [[Matthew 10:9]] made such an impression on him that he decided to devote himself wholly to a life of apostolic poverty. Clad in a rough garment, barefoot, and, after the [[Evangelism|evangelical]] precept, without staff or scrip, he began to preach repentance.<ref name="cefa">{{CathEncy|author=Paschal Robinson|wstitle=St. Francis of Assisi}}</ref>

He was soon joined by a prominent fellow townsman, [[Bernard of Quintavalle]], who contributed all that he had to the work. Other companions joined, with Francis having 11 companions within a year. The brothers lived in the deserted [[leper colony]] of Rivo Torto near [[Assisi]]. They spent much of their time traveling through the mountainous districts of [[Umbria]], always cheerful and full of songs, making a deep impression on their hearers by their earnest exhortations. Their life was extremely [[Asceticism|ascetic]]. Probably as early as 1209, Francis gave them a first rule, a collection of Scriptural passages emphasizing the duty of poverty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06208a.htm|title=Catholic Encyclopedia: Rule of Saint Francis|website=www.newadvent.org|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref>

In spite of some similarities between this principle and some of the fundamental ideas of the followers of [[Peter Waldo]], the brotherhood of Assisi succeeded in gaining the approval of [[Pope Innocent III]].<ref name="chest107">Chesterton (1924), pp.&nbsp;107–108</ref> What seems to have impressed first the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino|Bishop of Assisi]], then [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[Giovanni di San Paolo]] and finally Innocent, was their utter loyalty to the Catholic Church and the clergy. Pope Innocent was responsible for helping to construct the church Francis was being called to rebuild. Innocent and the [[Fourth Council of the Lateran|Fourth Lateran Council]] helped maintain the church in Europe.<ref name="Francis of Assisi and His World">Galli (2002), pp.&nbsp;74–80</ref>

Pope Innocent probably saw in them a possible answer to his desire for an orthodox preaching force to counter heresy. Many legends have clustered around the decisive audience of Francis with the pope. The realistic account in [[Matthew Paris]]—according to which the pope originally sent the shabby saint off to keep swine and only recognized his real worth by his ready obedience—has, in spite of its improbability, a certain historical interest since it shows the natural antipathy of the older [[Order of Saint Benedict|Benedictine monasticism]] to the plebeian mendicant orders. The group was [[tonsure]]d, and Francis was ordained as a deacon, allowing him to proclaim Gospel passages and preach in churches during Mass.<ref name="Francis of Assisi and His World">Galli (2002), pp.&nbsp;74–80</ref>