Donald Spoto , in a book about Saint Francis of Assisi , said monks were motivated to call them children , and not wandering poor .
Being poor was considered pious and the Church was embarrassed by its wealth in contrast to the poor .
Donald Spoto , in a book about Saint Francis of Assisi , said monks were motivated to call them children , and not wandering poor , because being poor was considered pious and the Church was embarrassed by its wealth in contrast to the poor .