St. Francis faced many trials and tribulations in the years leading up to the 1223 version of Francis’s Rule. In the same time that he brought Clare into his ministry, Francis sailed, yet again, out of Italy and visited the Muslims in Levant in an attempt to convert them. Francis would abort the mission due to rough seas. He would get horrifyingly sick on his next trip to Morocco in 1214, however, he first established a community of Spanish bothers. Francis was miraculously able to reach Egypt where he conversed with sultan al-Kamil and pleaded for the sultan to convert and be baptized. However, this was done in vain as this occurred during the Fifth Crusade. In the time to follow, eighteen provinces were established over a vast area, including France, Germany, Spain, Hungary, and even Morocco, in attempt to expand. During this time that Francis continued to persuade the conversions of the Muslims, several others stepped into Francis’ authoritative positions to make decisions in his absence. These figures included Cardinal Hugolino, a nephew of Innocent III, and the future pope Gregory IX. Francis returned upon hearing news that his fellows brothers had been gifted a house, and upon receiving, breached the fundamental principle of Francis. Francis was so infuriated by this news that he headed directly for Bologna to supervise the ejection of the brothers who had received the house, however, Hugolino declared that the house belonged to him and the Franciscans simply used the house. The distinction between ownership and use would create extreme debate within the papacy. After this, in 1220, Francis stepped down from his position and appointed Peter of Cattani, who died within the following year. After Peter, Elias of Levant took his position. During this same time, Francis and his companions wrote an updated version of the Rule, which consisted almost entirely of biblical passages. Unfortunately, it was not approved and became known as the Regula non bullata (the rule not approved by the papacy). From the years 1221 to 1223, Francis was devoted to development of a rule that would be accepted. However, in order for his rule to be accepted, Francis understood that his rule would have to not require such strict standards. This deeply frustrated Francis. At the chapter of 1223, Francis’ rule would be accepted by the papacy, but would demand much less of the brothers.

In Saint Francis’ Rule, he address the standards of which his fellow brethren and sisters must adhere to if they wish to fulfill a holy an apostolic life. There is an emphasis placed on the importance of an individual separating themselves entirely from world when living  a monastic lifestyle. A crucial requirement is to give up all worldly possessions to the poor. Francis parallels this idea with life of Jesus Christ as he was born into poverty and lived a life poverty until he was hung upon a cross. This ideology addressed a controversial topic of the time, as the monastic institutions had become very wealthy. However, Francis adopted a New Testament, apostolic lifestyle that led to many following Saint Francis. Francis also addresses the way in which a Franciscan is to address both fellow brothers who have sinned, as well as those who persecuted them. Francis believed that this situations must be handled in a peaceful, gentle, modest, and merciful manner. Francis’ rules directly reflect the life of Jesus Christ and his apostles.

In Francis’ The Canticle, he expresses a sense of praise and worship to God for all of the wonderful things that he created and how beautiful they coincide to make up our world. This poem would have directly contradicted the heretical beliefs of the Cathar’s, who branch from a dualistic view. They believe that there are two gods, the God of the New Testament, who is good, and the god of the Old Testament, who is evil because he created the ‘evil’ world. They would have believed that this evil god was actually Satan. However, Francis’ poem brings praise to his one God who created everything beautifully. He even addresses things that could be referred to as evil, such as fire, but describes the beauty that fire is.