CORRADO D'ASCOLI, BEATO

CORRADO d'ASCOLI, Blessed. — Franciscan, born in Ascoli on 18 Sept. 1234 to the noble Francesco Milani and Agnese Saladini, died there on 17 Apr. 1289. Companion of Girolamo Massi, later of Niccolò IV, with whom he donned the habit of the Friars Minor, he soon rose to fame for his holiness and learning. He evangelized Libya, converting several thousand infidels, and was the first to bring little Moors to Europe to educate them. Sent by Niccolò III together with Girolamo to Paris, to the king of France, to induce him to adopt more peaceful sentiments toward the king of Spain, he later returned to Paris to teach theology, each time arousing great admiration both in his teaching and in his preaching and exercise of charity. Called to Rome by his friend and confrere who had become pope, to receive the cardinal’s insignia, he died upon arriving in Ascoli. Pius VI confirmed his cult on 5 Feb. 1792.