List of Franciscan General Ministers

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List of Franciscan General Ministers

General Minister until the order was divided in 1517

The count begins with the first general minister after the founder of the order, Francis of Assisi. A vicar general represents a general minister or general commissioner who is sick or who is unable to perform his duties or, in the event of his sudden death, is appointed by the pope for the transitional period until the next election of a general minister or general commissioner.

During the Western Schism , the following general ministers were in office in Roman obedience:

At the same time, the following officiated in the Avignon obedience:

After the end of the schism, the leadership of the order was reunited under Antonio Vinetti.

General Minister of the Observants or Franciscans (OFM)

Clemente Dolera, 52nd Minister General OFM (1553–1557) (cloister of the Ognissanti Church )
Luigi (Aloysius) Canali da Parma, 104th Minister General OFM (1889–1897), oil painting by Franz Thöne

General Minister of the Minorites (OFMconv)

Vicars General and Minister General of the Capuchins (OFMcap)

The Capuchins were initially under the nominal direction of the Observants and were represented by a Vicar General. They have had a general minister since they were recognized as an independent order in 1619.