Letter to the Rulers of the Peoples

With Franciscan Clarean Commentary

Greeting and Blessing

To all podestàs and consuls, judges and rulers in all the world, and to all others to whom these words may come: Brother Francis, your little and despised servant in the Lord God, sends greeting and wishes of true peace.

Clarean Commentary:
Francis introduces himself as “little and despised.” He has no worldly power, no throne, no army — yet he dares to write to rulers of the world. For Clareans today, this models prophetic courage: our authority does not come from status but from faithfulness to the Gospel. We speak truth to power not because we are mighty, but because God’s truth burns in us.

The Call to Repentance

Consider and see that the day of death draws near. I beg you, therefore, with all respect of which I am capable, that you do not forget the Lord on account of the cares and solicitudes of this world, and that you turn not aside from His commandments, for all those who forget Him and decline from His commandments are cursed, and they shall be forgotten by Him. And when the day of death comes, all which they think they have shall be taken from them. And the wiser and more powerful they may have been in this world, the greater torments shall they endure in hell.

Clarean Commentary:
Francis cuts to the chase: rulers will face death, and worldly power cannot save them. He warns them not to neglect God in the pursuit of politics and wealth. For Clareans today, this is a prophetic reminder to civic leaders — and to us — that justice, compassion, and obedience to God outweigh every policy, title, or throne. The higher your power, the deeper your responsibility.

The Call to Honor God

And therefore I firmly counsel you, my lords, to set aside all care and solicitude and to receive with joy the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in holy remembrance of Him. And show such honor to the Lord among the people committed to you, that every evening you cause a public proclamation to be made by a herald or some other sign, that thanks may be rendered by all people to the all-powerful Lord God.

Clarean Commentary:
Francis makes a radical demand: rulers must publicly honor Christ and lead the people in gratitude. His vision of government is not merely political but sacramental — leaders are stewards of souls, not just laws. For Clareans today, this doesn’t mean merging church and state, but it does mean insisting that leadership itself is sacred trust. True authority serves life, justice, and thanksgiving — not greed or violence.

Final Blessing

And if you do not do this, know that you must render an account before the Lord your God, Jesus Christ, on the day of judgment. Let those who keep this writing with them and observe it know that they are blessed by the Lord God.

Clarean Commentary:
Francis ends like the prophets of old: with blessing and warning. Leaders who serve humbly and honor God are blessed; those who ignore Him will face judgment. For Clareans today, this is our charge as well — to call leaders back to humility, to remind them that authority is accountability before God. Leadership is not ownership; it is stewardship.