Today, the conclave begins in Rome to elect the successor of Pope Francis. The name Francesco was chosen as a tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, who is also the patron saint of Italy. This year marks the 800th anniversary of the writing of the Cantico delle creature (Canticle of the Creatures), Saint Francis's most important work—a prayer and praise to God for creation, life, and redemption, as well as the first literary composition in the Italian language.

The oldest version of this masterpiece is written on a parchment dated to the 13th century, preserved in Assisi at the Library of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis. It is said that, dictated in the Monastery of San Damiano in the Umbrian town by the nearly blind Saint Francis, it was transcribed by Brother Leo.