Il Ritorno di Francesco ("The Return of Francis") Statue, Assisi

In 2005, Italian artist Norberto Proietti crafted a modern equestrian statue of Saint Francis, now standing outside his namesake Basilica. Inscribed on the bronze plaque is a quote from the "Legend of the Three Companions", describing a crucial moment in the saint's life:

– Lord, what do you want me to do?
– Go back to your city and you will be told what you must do.
At daybreak, Francis, with a renewed inner spirit, sought only to align himself with the will of God.

Throughout his life, Francis experienced many dreams. One such vision led him to aspire to become a knight and join the papal army. Following this vision, he acquired armor and a horse, setting off for Rome. However, during a stop in Spoleto, he had another dream in which God questioned his actions, urging him to serve God rather than the army.

Undoubtedly, the young Francis, filled with idealistic aspirations, feared returning to Assisi, where he might face his family's scorn for abandoning his knightly ambitions and avoiding the perils of battle. The statue portrays the future saint in a state of humility, prior to his monkhood – slouched in his saddle, head and shoulders drooping, his despondency mirrored by the demeanor of his horse.