Their lives separated by eight centuries, St Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis also walked together. The “Little poor man of Assisi” spoke of all created things as his brothers and sisters. As a Jesuit, “the People’s Pope” spoke of “God in all things.”

This book reflects the thoughts of two men who shared the name of Francis.

St Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, also known as the Canticle of Brother Sun, is presented alongside excerpts from Pope Francis’ landmark Encyclical, Laudato Si’. The two documents start with the same two words:“Laudato si’” “Praised be to you”.

This book is a memorial to two men, whose greatness lay in their humility, poverty, simplicity, outreach to the poorest and most marginalised people of their time – and joy.

In the deathbed words of St Francis, “I have done what is mine to do; may Christ teach you what is yours,” Pope Francis echoed his namesake.