AMICO, FRANCESCO. - Jesuit theologian, b. at Cosenza on 2 Apr. 1578, d. on 31 Jan. 1651. Admitted to the Jesuit novitiate in 1596, he soon displayed remarkable intellectual vigour combined with an amiable simplicity. He later became professor of literature, philosophy, and theology, and was also a distinguished preacher. He held the chair of philosophy for only a few years; then, for a full 24 years, the chair of theology in various cities (L'Aquila, Naples, Gratz, and Vienna, where he was also prefect of studies). Returning from Vienna to Gratz, he was considered for the dignity of chancellor of the University there.
He left the work *Cursus theologici juxta scholasticam huius temporis S. J. methodum*, corresponding to the method and order followed by St. Thomas Aquinas: 9 vols. in-folio, printed at Douai between 1640 and 1649, reprinted at Antwerp in 1650.
The work was presented to the Holy See through the Archbishop of Mechelen, Giacomo Boonen. The Congregation of the Index, by decree of 6 June 1655, permitted its reading “dummodo corrigatur.” Subsequently the text was corrected, so that F. A. remains and is classified among the serious and reliable authors.
