When was St. Francis of Assisi beatified?

If Francis was beatified, the date is not available. However, he was canonized on July 16, 1228, by Pope Gregory IX. The canonization process had only recently been introduced at the time of the canonization of St. Francis. There may not have even been a beatification stage to canonization at the time. We do know that Francis was on the 'fast track' to sainthood as he was canonized less than 2 years after his death.