Pope’s Franciscans Kick-Start Restoration Effort : NPR

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  • Pope’s Franciscans Kick-Start Restoration Effort : NPR
    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=289236246

    ROME (AP) — Pope Francis’ namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, founded his order of mendicant friars in the 13th century after receiving a calling from God to “rebuild my church.” Some 800 years later, St. Francis’ followers are rebuilding his church in the ancient tradition of door-to-door begging that St. Francis championed — but with a very modern twist.

    With interest in things Franciscan at an all-time high, the friars who run the San Francesco a Ripa church in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood launched a #Kickstarter online fundraising campaign Wednesday to try to raise $125,000 for the restoration of the tiny cell where St. Francis stayed when he came to Rome to see the popes starting in 1209, The Associated Press has learned.

    #crowdfunding #religion