born Sept. 8, 1380, Massa Marittima, Siena
died May 20, 1444, L'Aquila, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies; canonized 1450; feast day May 20
Franciscan priest and theologian.
Born into a noble family but orphaned early, he entered the Observants (1402), a strict branch of the Franciscan order that he later helped to spread throughout Europe. In 1417 he began preaching tours in Italy, seeking to combat the lawlessness, strife, and immorality resulting from the Western Schism. Through the Council of Florence he worked to unite the Greek and Roman churches. Numerous miracles are said to have occurred at his tomb.