Saint Francis of Assisi (1181/1182 – 3 October 1226), was an Italian Roman Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of Saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history. He is the Patron Saint of: animals; the environment; Italy; merchants; stowaways; Cub Scouts; San Francisco, California, Naga City, and Cebu.