UN hosting exhibition of St Francis of Assisi manuscripts

(Vatican Radio)  The United Nations Headquarters in New York City will host an exhibition on St. Francis of Assisi later this month.  The Holy See is among those promoting the exhibition, which will be the first one of its kind at the UN. Entitled “Francis, icons, words, images,” the exhibition will showcase key manuscripts dating from the 13th and 14th century lent by the library at the Sacred Convent in Assisi. All of them have been recently restored as their condition had deteriorated badly over the past decades. 

The highlight of the exhibition is the 13th century Codex 338 containing the writings of Francis, including his famous Canticle of the Creatures that is widely viewed as a poetic and spiritual masterpiece. Other highly-prized exhibits include the papal Bulls of Honorius III and Gregory IX.  The U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Kenneth Hackett was among the speakers at a press conference in Rome that was held to provide more details about the forthcoming exhibition. He spoke to Susy Hodges about its importance. 

Listen to the interview with the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Kenneth Hackett: 

Ambassador Hackett said the exhibition will help bring to a wider audience more information about the spirituality and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi, a saint who is much loved by the American people. 

“I think the U.S. public will resonate very well and has always resonated very well with the ideas of St Francis and what he represents, in terms of peace, ecology, saving the environment, his simplicity and his humility and particularly now with Pope Francis.”

As the first ever pope to take the name of the founder of the Franciscans, Ambassador Hackett predicted the figure of Pope Francis will also increase interest in this exhibition as “he amplifies the virtues and the whole character of St. Francis in so many ways” through his reaching out to the poor and marginalized, his emphasis on peace and non-violence and care for the earth.