It is not often remembered that as a young man the future St. Francis of Assisi was the wealthy and carefree scion of an important merchant family, and enlisted as a soldier in two campaigns. However, due to illness he was forced to abandon the second campaign without having fought in battle.

This statue, by the Umbrian artist and sculptor Norberto, erected in 2005, depicts his return from that second campaign. He is slumped in despair, his armour unused. It was from this low point that he began the journey that would lead to his beatification. At least, so the hagiographies would have you believe.