Francis lives here: Irish friar witnesses the living presence of St Francis in Assisi

Assisi has always drawn crowds. But this year is different. As the Church marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis, almost 450,000 pilgrims have registered to venerate the mortal remains of the Poverello of Assisi during a rare, month-long public display in the Basilica of St Francis. Among the Franciscan friars welcoming…