The patron saint of Italy, animals, ecology and tapestry makers, St. Francis was born in Assisi, a town in the region of Umbria, reputedly on September 23, 1181 or 1182, to Peter Bernadone, a wealthy cloth merchant, and his wife Pica de Bourlemont, a noblewoman from Provence in France.

Palazzo Barberini exhibit explores pope Urban VIII's patronage of sculptor Bernini and Rome's Baroque transformation

World peace, sustainable agriculture, and food for all are top priorities on Pope Leo XIV’s agenda. 

A landmark show traces Van Dyck’s artistic journey across Europe through more than 50 masterpieces