Why Francis of Assisi?
Wondering and Wandering is a spin-off project of The Economy of Francesco, an international movement of young economists, entrepreneurs, and change-makers active since 2019. It is dedicated to developing new ways of understanding and practicing economics, inspired by the legacy of Francis of Assisi, spanning areas such as research, business, cultural events, and education.
Theories and practices rooted in the Franciscan tradition have deeply influenced ethical, economic, and social behaviors, through notions such as fraternity, poverty, and the praising of the creation, as reflected in the words of Francis himself (Agamben, 2013; Bruni, 2023; Rotondi & Santori, 2023). In resonance with the charisma of Francis, the Franciscans throughout centuries developed innovative economic initiatives, still remembered as milestone in the history of economics, such as the earliest credit institutions to combat medieval usury, such as the Monti di Pietà and Monti Frumentari. Or, one can think of modern accounting practices (e.g., Pacioli) or even the formulation of economic theories that remain relevant for ethical perspectives on economic systems (es. Duns Scoto). These and other contributions (yet to come) were highlighted by Pope Francis in 2019 in the launching of the EoF movement to “to change today’s economy and to give a soul to the economy of tomorrow” where leading economists collaborate to explore these enduring principles.
2026 marks the 800th anniversary of Francis’s death, an occasion that has sparked an extraordinary wave of creative reflection, publications, and events around the world. These initiatives draw inspiration from the figure of Francis and related philosophies to respond to the many challenges of the present.
