Francis in Rome
This chapel shows Francis presenting to the pope his ‘Rule’, a list of norms that regulated the life and spiritual direction of the religious community he founded.
Pope Innocent III, after some hesitation, approved the rule in 1210, at a critical moment in the history of the Church. Some popular religious movements, such as the Patarins and the Cathars, strongly criticized material wealth; they promoted an ascetic life and the moral reform of the Church. Many of these religious movements were accused of heresy and their followers were condemned to the stake. Francis risked the same fate, precisely because he advocated radical and innovative ideas and was able to communicate with simplicity to the most fragile members of society.
Innocent III, however, understood that it was necessary to encourage the preaching of religious groups loyal to the pope: with the approval of the Rule, he aimed to regulate and put under strict control the new order founded by Francis.