Francis was a fun-loving, wealthy young man when the Lord intervened and gave him a new love, Lady Poverty. Francis initially wanted to live as a hermit, loving God in solitude. However, his cheerfulness and joy attracted people. They marveled that a man so poor could be so friendly. Many people asked if they could join him. He called his followers the “Little Brothers,” or “Friars Minor.” Today they are known as the Franciscans.