St. Francis used to encourage civil authorities to be ever mindful of Gospel truths such as looking after the welfare of all people, animals & birds especially those who are poor and vulnerable. He urged them to enact laws for the feeding of animals on Christmas Day: Speaking of the Day of the Lord's Nativity, Francis 'wanted the poor and hungry to be filled by the rich, and oxen and asses to be spoiled with extra feed and hay. "If ever I speak with the Emperor,' he would say, "I will beg him to issue a general decree that all who can should throw wheat and grain along the roads, so that on the day of such a great solemnity the birds may have an abundance, especially our sisters the larks."
From: The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul by Thomas of Celano.
- St. Francis