On Thursday, May 7, the inauguration of the exhibition "I, Brother Francis: 800 years of a great adventure" was held in Jerusalem. The exhibition, set up at the Curia of the Monastery of St. Saviour in Jerusalem, is part of the initiatives carried out in the context of the Franciscan Jubilee, which celebrates 800 years since the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

The original exhibition was organized in the context of the 46th Meeting for Friendship among Peoples, in Rimini. Subsequently, the Custody of the Holy Land wanted to propose the exhibition in Jerusalem as well, to offer a new perspective on the life of St. Francis. In fact, the aim of the exhibition is not to show works of art on the figure of the Saint, but rather to offer visitors a new perspective on the life of the poor man of Assisi, a perspective that leads to a deep knowledge of his figure and the rediscovery of the values of peace and love according to which St. Francis lived.

The inauguration of the exhibition saw a large participation of religious and lay people living in Jerusalem, as well as some diplomats from various countries, among them the Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Giorgio Lingua and the Consul General of Italy Domenico Bellato. The event opened with a performance offered by the Choir of the Custody of the Holy Land, followed by the first intervention of the Father Custos, Fr. Francesco Ielpo. The latter underlined how St. Francis' invitation to a truer, freer, and more complete life remains relevant even today, 800 years after his death.

Following this, Fr. Enrico Maiorano and Fr. Francesco Ravaioli spoke, two minor friars belonging to two different Franciscan families, Fr. Enrico Capuchin and Fr. Francesco Conventual. In their speeches they offered those present some points of interpretation of the particularity of Franciscan spirituality, in particular giving three insights into the dimension of poverty, life in fraternity and the humility of St. Francis.

Finally, the video message of Fr. Luca di Pasquale was broadcast, presenting the story behind the exhibition "I, Brother  Francis". Fr. di Pasquale explained that the exhibition was born from the need to deconstruct the many labels that have been attached to the figure of St. Francis. In fact, Fr. di Pasquale recalled, the definitions of St. Francis as the ecologist or the friend of animals, and many others, are, however true, extremely limiting. From here was born the desire to present the figure of the Saint in a new light. And to do this, explains Fr. di Pasquale, it was decided to let St. Francis himself present himself and express himself with his own words, through his Testament.

In this document, which Francis gave to his brothers shortly before his death, he retraces his experience of meeting the poorest, the last, and therefore God.

In conclusion, the exhibition "I, Brother Francis" is therefore not limited to presenting a historical account, but is proposed as a meeting point between St. Francis and anyone who wants to know him. Through the words of his Testament, Francis continues to speak to the heart of modern man, to restore to him the essence of a message based on fraternity and humility. In a world that today more than ever needs love and harmony, the testimony of the "Poverello of Assisi" remains a beacon of hope and an invitation to find peace.