The Holy See would willingly have conceded special constitutions to the Brothers Minor, if they had adopted for a base the Rule of St.Benedict; thus the Clarisses, except those of St.
Damian, while preserving their name and a certain number of their customs, were obliged to profess the Benedictine rule.
In spite of all solicitations, Francis insisted upon retaining his own Rule.

One is led to believe that it was to confer upon these questions that we find him at Perugia in July, 1216, when Innocent III.

died.[4] However this may be, about this epoch the chapters took on a great importance.

The Church, which had looked on at the foundation of the Order with somewhat mixed feelings, could no longer rest content with being the mere spectator of so profound a movement; it saw the need of utilizing it.
Ugolini was marvellously well prepared for such a task.

Giovanni di San Paolo, Bishop of the Sabine, charged by Innocent III.