Francis considered himself 'the herald of the Great King'.
Assailed by brigands who asked him who he was, he fearlessly replied: 'I am the herald of the Great King; does this interest you?
And when he had to sit at sumptuous tables of great personages, Francis repeated:
"The Lord is pleased with poverty and especially with that which consists in becoming voluntary beggars for Christ. And I, this royal dignity that the Lord assumed for us, making himself poor in order to enrich us with his misery and to make the truly poor in spirit heirs and kings of the Kingdom of heaven, do not want to exchange it for the feud of false riches, granted to you for a moment" (FF 1127).
And when he set up the first nativity scene at Greccio, Francis stood before the manger filled with pity:
"He preaches to the people the birth of the poor King, and in naming him, he calls him by Tenderness of love, the "child of Bethlehem" (FF 1186).
And Clare echoes him in the Legend, saying:
"For if the King of kings gives himself to those who love him ardently, what can there be that he does not grant, if it is fitting, to those who pray to him with devotion?" (FF 3208).
In the Praises of God Most High we read:
"Thou art Holy, O Lord, only God, who workest wondrous things.
You are strong, You are great, You are Most High, You are Almighty King, You, Holy Father, King of Heaven and earth..." (FF 261).
Christ the King (B) (Jn 18:33b-37)