Pietro di Bernardone

Pietro di Bernardone was a wealthy Italian merchant from Assisi, Papal States, who lived during the 12th century and was the father of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and was known for his business acumen and his travels to France, Spain, and other parts of Europe. Pietro di Bernardone's life was marked by his relationships with notable figures such as Pope Innocent III, Pope Gregory IX, and Saint Clare of Assisi. His family was also connected to other influential families in Assisi, including the Nobili family and the Fiumi family.

● Early Life

Pietro di Bernardone was born in Assisi, Papal States, around 1140 to a family of merchants. His early life was influenced by the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Assisi, who played a significant role in the city's affairs. Pietro di Bernardone's family was also connected to the Nobili family, who were prominent Italian nobles, and the Fiumi family, who were known for their merchant activities in Assisi. As a young man, Pietro di Bernardone traveled to France and Spain, where he developed his business skills and established trade relationships with merchants from Lyon, Marseille, and Barcelona. He also visited the Court of France, where he met with King Louis VII and other members of the French monarchy.

● Family and Marriage

Pietro di Bernardone married Pica de Bourlemont, a noblewoman from France, and had several children, including Saint Francis of Assisi and Angelo di Pietro. His family was known for their Catholic devotion and their connections to the Catholic Church. Pietro di Bernardone's wife, Pica de Bourlemont, was a member of the Bourlemont family, who were French nobles with ties to the Duke of Burgundy and the Count of Champagne. The family's social status was also influenced by their relationships with other prominent families in Assisi, including the Nobili family and the Fiumi family, who were connected to the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire.

● Career and Later Life

Pietro di Bernardone was a successful merchant who traveled extensively throughout Europe, establishing trade relationships with merchants from Lyon, Marseille, and Barcelona. He was also a member of the Merchant Guild of Assisi, which played a significant role in the city's economy. Pietro di Bernardone's business activities were influenced by the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire, which controlled much of Italy during the 12th century. He also had connections to the Court of France, where he met with King Philip II and other members of the French monarchy. In his later life, Pietro di Bernardone was known for his generosity and his support of the Catholic Church, particularly the Bishop of Assisi and the Abbey of San Damiano.

● Relationship with Saint Francis

Pietro di Bernardone's relationship with his son, Saint Francis of Assisi, was complex and influenced by their different personalities and values. Saint Francis of Assisi was a devout Catholic who renounced his family's wealth and status to live a life of poverty and devotion to the Catholic Church. Pietro di Bernardone, on the other hand, was a practical and ambitious merchant who valued his family's social status and wealth. The two had a strained relationship, particularly after Saint Francis of Assisi renounced his inheritance and began to live a life of poverty. Despite their differences, Pietro di Bernardone eventually came to accept his son's decision and even supported his Franciscan Order, which was approved by Pope Innocent III in 1210.

● Legacy and Impact

Pietro di Bernardone's legacy is closely tied to that of his son, Saint Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan Order and became one of the most influential figures in Catholic Church history. Pietro di Bernardone's business activities and trade relationships helped to establish Assisi as a major commercial center in Italy, and his connections to the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire influenced the city's politics and economy. The Catholic Church also recognized Pietro di Bernardone's contributions to the Franciscan Order and his support of Saint Francis of Assisi's mission. Today, Pietro di Bernardone is remembered as a significant figure in the history of Assisi and the Catholic Church, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by the Franciscan Order and other Catholic organizations, including the Vatican City and the Archdiocese of Assisi.