Capela das Almas: St. Francis Preaching Before Pope Honorius III

St. Francis Preaching Before Pope Honorius III
Located on the left section of the lateral wall of Capela das Almas, this azulejo panel depicts St. Francis kneeling before Pope Honorius III, seated in his papal tiara amid a gathering of cardinals and fellow friars, with an attendant recording the moment in a book at the bottom of the scene.

The tile carries a legible inscription at the bottom, “S. Francisco prega em presença de Honorio III” (“St. Francis preaches in the presence of Honorius III”), clearly identifying the episode depicted in the panel.

As seen in the image, St. Francis, identified by the halo around his head, stands before Pope Honorius III, who is seated wearing the papal tiara amid a gathering of cardinals and Franciscan friars. At the bottom of the scene, an attendant appears to record the proceedings in a book.

Appearing in the clouds above the gathering are Jesus and the Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels. A cross is also visible beside Jesus, giving the earthly meeting below a heavenly setting.

Historically, Francis traveled to Rome around 1209–1210 to seek papal approval for his way of life, centered on poverty, humility, and preaching. However, the pope he met on that occasion was Innocent III, who gave Francis and his followers oral approval. Pope Honorius III later formally approved the final Rule of the Order of Friars Minor in 1223, allowing the movement to grow well beyond Francis’s own lifetime. The azulejo panel therefore depicts a separate tradition of Francis preaching in the presence of Honorius III rather than his first journey to Rome seeking papal approval.

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