Who was Francis - and what does the man from Assisi still have to say to us today? The Catholic Church has always claimed Francis of Assisi and his dream of a simple life for itself, rewriting his life story into hagiography. However, the teachings of Francis of Assisi possess a radiance that transcends denominational boundaries, especially today. Gunnar Decker reveals the clerical myth that lies behind the figure of the monk. He shows us how his teachings still move us. In memory of Francis of Assisi, the Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Francis - a groundbreaking choice, especially since none of his predecessors in the Vatican bore this name. It is a return to the origins, with which the founder of the Franciscan order and advocate for the poor not only shaped the 13th century but also made his ideal modern.