In 1231 this church substituted the chapel of the antique hospice of St Biagio, where St Francis lived during his stay in Rome, in 1219. Inside his cell one can still find the stone pillow and his crucifix. Entirely rebuilt by Cardinal Pallavicini in 1680, the church is full of sculptures. 

The interior is very simple and is divided into three naves with numerous pilasters. The aisles host three chapels each. 

In the Altieri chapel there is the dramatic scuplture by Bernini the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni. It also houses a reliquary altar by Bernini as well as a canvas potraing St Francis made conformingly with the tradition of his devout Jacopa de' Settesoli. In the oratory is the tomb of the great painter Giorgio de Chirico.