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What was St. Francis of Assisi’s life like before his religious conversion?

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Bonaventura Berlinghieri: St. Francis and Scenes from His Life — St. Francis of Assisi *St. Francis and Scenes from His Life*, tempera on panel by Bonaventura Berlinghieri, 1235; in the Church of San Francesco, Pescia, Italy.

Before his religious conversion, St. Francis of Assisi lived a life of relative comfort and worldliness. Born to a wealthy cloth merchant, he was a popular and charismatic leader among the young men of Assisi.12

His early life was characterized by:
* Education and Interests: He learned to read and write Latin and developed a deep fondness for French language and Provençal culture, particularly the songs of the troubadours.2
* Military Service: In 1202, he participated in a war between Assisi and Perugia, which resulted in him being held prisoner for nearly a year.12
* Transition: Following his release and a period of illness, he attempted to join papal forces in 1205. However, a series of spiritual experiences—including visions, a pilgrimage to Rome, and an encounter with a man suffering from leprosy—led him to renounce his family ties and worldly goods to pursue a life of poverty and prayer.12