Pope Francis (C) arrives in the St Francis Basilica as part of his pastoral visit at Assisi on October 4, 2013. Pope Francis visits Assisi for the first time today to honour the saint whose name he adopted for a papacy aimed at promoting peace and helping the poor, the Vatican said. The pope will attend the feast of St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) on that day, praying at the tomb of a saint who is widely loved in Italy. AFP PHOTO POOL / PIETRO CROCCHIONI