The San Damiano cross

When I saw this in the pope's homily in Assisi ...

Francis experienced this in a special way in the Church of San Damiano, as he prayed before the cross which I too will have an opportunity to venerate. On that cross, Jesus is depicted not as dead, but alive! Blood is flowing from his wounded hands, feet and side, but that blood speaks of life. Jesus’ eyes are not closed but open, wide open: he looks at us in a way that touches our hearts.

... I was reminded of the scene in the movie Brother Sun Sister Moon in which Francis comes upon the ruins of San Damiano church and sees the crucifix hanging inside :) .....



The San Damiano cross was moved from that church by the Poor Clares to the Basilica of Santa Chiara in 1257 - the crucifix that now hangs in the San Damiano is a copy. As stated in Wikipedia, the Jesus on this crucifix ...

is represented both as wounded and strong. He stands upright and resolute .... This representation contrasts with the regal Christ portrayed on the cross in earlier centuries and the suffering, dying, crucified Christ depicted generally throughout the Church since the beginning of the 14th century ....

See the Wikipedia article for explanations of who (and what) all the other figures represented on the cross are thought to be. One of the figures, on the lower right side of the cross, is said to maybe be a cat, but I can't find it (click to enlarge photo) ...