Approved by Pope Honorius III with the bull 'Solet Annuere'.
"Honorius, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to the beloved sons, Br Francis and the other friars of the Order of Friars Minor, health and apostolic blessing: The Apostolic See is accustomed to grant the pious desires and to share her kind favor with the upright desires of those petitioning her. Wherefore, beloved sons in the Lord, having yielded to your pious entreaties, We confirm by Our apostolic authority your rule, approved by Our predecessor, Pope Innocent, of good memory, quoted herein, and We strengthen it with the patronage of this present writing, which is as follows:"
The rule and life of the lesser brothers is this: To observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience without anything of our own, and in chastity. Brother Francis promises obedience and reverence to the Lord Pope Honorius and his canonically elected successors, and to the Roman Church; and the rest of the brothers are obliged to obey Francis and his successors.
“To observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience without anything of our own, and in chastity.”
