Etymology:

The name derives from the Latin term ‘Franciscus’, which means “French” or ‘from France’. Originally, it was a nickname given to people who had ties to France, either by birth, residence or because of their customs.
Saint Francis was born in Assisi in 1182. As the son of a merchant, he aspired to join the city’s minor nobility during his youth, until he discovered his true vocation. He then dedicated himself to a life of solitude and poverty, renouncing his worldly assets and leaving his family. In 1209, his first disciples joined him, and from that moment, he began preaching the Gospel in the city. Starting in 1210, he traveled across Italy’s squares, preaching the love of God and gathering large crowds of followers everywhere. During his life, he founded three different Orders for those who wished to live as penitents. The remains of St. Francis are preserved in the Basilica dedicated to him in his hometown. He was canonized in 1228 and later proclaimed the patron saint of Italy, alongside Catherine of Siena, in 1939.

The tales of the statue in the Duomo’s building site:

His statue—despite the fact that the saint is one of the founding fathers of the Catholic Church itself—has stood on the south side of the Cathedral only since 1953. It was sculpted by Franco Asco from Trieste, who also created the original model. The sculptor, who moved to Milan after exhibiting several works at the Venice Biennale, was one of the most active artists in Milan during those years.