It is one of the holiest places in the memory of the Franciscan origins. Here the Crucifix, a copy of which can be seen on the altar (the original is now kept in the Basilica of Santa Chiara), spoke to Francis, telling him "Go and repair my house, which, as you can see, is falling into ruin". St. Francis worked to rebuild the simple church and later realized that he was repairing the entire Church of Christ.