As October ends, I find myself reflecting on St Francis of Assisi and the 800th anniversary of his death.

Francis was born into a very different world, yet the values he lived by remain remarkably relevant today. Although he was very much a product of his time, his vision was ahead of it. Centuries before environmentalism became a global movement, he recognised our responsibility towards creation. Long before modern pacifism emerged, he placed peace and reconciliation at the heart of his life. Moreover, long before social work and modern concepts of social inclusion developed, he reached out to the poor, the marginalised and those rejected by society.

In this sense, Francis' vision anticipated concerns that would become central to humanity many centuries later. Perhaps that is why, 800 years after his death, his message continues to speak so powerfully.

Francis was among the first to express, in such a profound and poetic way, the idea that creation is our common home. In the Canticle of the Creatures, he speaks of Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water and Sister Earth, not as things separate from us, but as members of the great family to which we ourselves belong. His vision was cosmic: humanity is not separate from creation but woven into the wider universe itself.

At a time when our environment is under enormous pressure, this message is more relevant than ever. Francis reminds us that we are not owners of the earth, free to exploit it without responsibility. We are part of it and, therefore, have a duty to care for it as its custodians.

His love for animals and birds reflected the same understanding. Long before animal welfare became a widely recognised cause, Francis advocated, through his words and actions, for the compassionate treatment of animals. He saw them not merely as creatures to be used or shot, but as brothers and sisters within creation. This simple yet revolutionary way of looking at the natural world challenges us today, when we so often treat nature as a resource rather than recognise that we are an integral part of it.

Francis also had a profound concern for those who were vulnerable, poor or excluded. He crossed the boundaries society had created and reached out to people whom others avoided. In doing so, he reminds us that human dignity must never depend on wealth, status, background or social position. A society is ultimately judged by how it treats those with the least power.

He was also a man of peace in a world torn apart by conflict. At the time, the Fifth Crusade was raging, with Christians and Muslims locked in violent confrontation. Yet Francis chose a radically different path. He crossed enemy lines, unarmed, to meet Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil face to face. He did not go as a warrior, but as a man seeking dialogue and understanding.

His encounter with the Sultan remains one of the most remarkable examples of interfaith engagement in history. For Francis, peace was not simply the absence of war. It required encounter, dialogue, reconciliation and the courage to recognise our common humanity in others. In a world still marked by war, hatred and division, his example remains profoundly relevant.

Francis understood that our differences should never be used to justify hatred or exclusion. We can belong to different religions, cultures, political traditions or communities and still recognise one another as brothers and sisters. Diversity should enrich humanity, not divide it.

Yet Francis was not simply a gentle and compassionate man. He was also a rebel of his time, challenging injustice, hypocrisy and the arrogance of those in power. He lived in an age when the Church wielded immense influence and, like any human institution, was not immune to corruption, excessive wealth or abuses of power.

Francis challenged this reality, but he did not simply point fingers or condemn others. Instead, he chose to embody what he believed the Church was meant to be humble, poor, compassionate, close to the people and faithful to the Gospel. His reform was lived before it was preached.

His life reminds us that faith is not merely about words, rituals or appearances. It is about how we live, how we treat others and whether we are prepared to stand up for what is right.

For me, this reflection is also deeply personal. As a former Franciscan Capuchin, I have carried the values of St Francis with me beyond religious life. When I entered politics, I sought, in my own way, to translate those values into action by caring for our environment, standing alongside the vulnerable and excluded, defending human dignity, and promoting social justice and the common good.

I do not claim to have always succeeded. However, the Franciscan ideal has remained a compass, reminding me that public service should be rooted in humility, compassion, solidarity and courage. Politics, at its best, should ultimately be about people and the common good. It should give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard, protect what belongs to everyone, and ensure that dignity is not reserved for the powerful or privileged.

Francis's message also transcends religious boundaries. His faith was at the heart of his life, but the values he embodied can speak to believers of different religions and those who do not believe. One does not have to share his faith to recognise the power of his example.

Perhaps that is why Francis can serve as a mentor for us today. He challenges us not merely to admire him, but to ask ourselves what we can do. How can we protect creation? How can we care for the vulnerable? How can we replace hatred with understanding and indifference with solidarity? How can we build communities rather than deepen divisions? In addition, when injustice occurs, do we have the courage to speak out?

That is why St Francis still matters. He is not merely a saint to remember from the past, but a challenge for the present and a guide for the future.

Eight hundred years after his death, his invitation remains remarkably simple: care for creation, embrace the vulnerable, seek peace, challenge injustice, respect our differences and, above all, put love into action.

St Francis is not simply a saint to remember, but a mentor for our times.

Albert Buttigieg, a former Capuchin Franciscan and a former MP

albert@albertbuttigieg.com