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Why did St. Francis of Assisi give up his shoes, staff, and fine clothing?

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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.

St. Francis of Assisi renounced his possessions, including his shoes and staff, as a direct response to the Gospel of Matthew (10:7, 9–11) during a mass on February 24, 1208.1

Upon hearing the passage in which Christ instructs his Apostles to take no money, extra tunics, sandals, or a staff for their journey, Francis felt a profound spiritual calling. He declared that this mission was exactly what he sought to do from the bottom of his heart. Consequently, he discarded his staff, removed his shoes, and adopted a rough tunic to begin his life of preaching repentance and evangelical poverty.1

Regarding his fine clothing, Francis had earlier renounced his worldly goods and family ties during a dispute with his father. Before the bishop of Assisi, he stripped off his garments to symbolize his total break from his earthly father in favor of his "Father who art in heaven," effectively embracing a life of complete detachment from his former status and wealth.1