Italian Embassy marks 800 years since the death of Saint Francis, 'the inventor of ecology'

The Italian Embassy in Lisbon is launching a cultural programme throughout 2026 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The initiative, which includes concerts and the presentation of a new biography by historian Alessandro Barbero, highlights the saint's spiritual importance, his historical connection to Saint Anthony of Lisbon, and his legacy as a pioneer of environmentalism.