Fondazione Poma Liberatutti announces Saint Francis 800th anniversary event

The Fondazione Poma Liberatutti in Pescia has announced a special event titled ‘Santo Francesco – 800 anni di presenza’ (Saint Francis – 800 years of presence), scheduled to run from October 2 to December 6, 2026. The initiative commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis.

The program combines an exhibition with a calendar of meetings, music, and various initiatives designed to explore Franciscan themes through both historical works and contemporary research. A central focus of the event is the proximity to the Church of San Francesco, which houses a 1235 painting by Bonaventura Berlinghieri, recognized as the oldest surviving depiction of the Saint.

The exhibition will occupy two floors of the Foundation. The ground floor will feature a photographic exhibition by Serena Gallorini, Alessandro Mariani, Esther May, and Giovanni Savino. These artists will use diverse methods—ranging from portraiture and conceptual photography to digital experimentation—to interpret the Franciscan rule and the spiritual journey of Saint Francis.