Preaching Peace in Renaissance Italy: Bernardino of Siena and His Audience
by Cynthia Polecritti
Category: Biography & Autobiography

Bernardino of Siena (1380-1444) was one of the major religious figures of the 15th century. His charismatic preaching filled the piazze of Italian cities, as thousands of listeners flocked to hear him and to participate in dramatic rituals, which included collective weeping, bonfires of vanities, and excorcisms. He was also a renowned peacemaker, in the Franciscan tradition, who tried to calm feuding clans and factions in the turbulent political world of the Renaissance. His preaching visits would often culminate in mass reconciliation, as listeners were persuaded to exchange the bacio di pace, or kiss of peace.