PAOLI, ANGELO, VENERABILE

PAOLI, ANGELO, Venerable. — Carmelite, born in Argigliano in 1642, died in Rome in 1720. At the age of 18 he took the habit in Fivizzano and completed his studies in the convents of Siena, Pisa, and Florence. He carried out the priestly ministry commendably in various convents of the Tuscan province (where he was also novice master) until, in 1687, he was assigned by the General Paolo di S. Ignazio to the convent of S. Martino ai Monti in Rome, where he remained until his death. A reputation for holiness surrounded him during his lifetime, particularly for his spirit of prayer and penance, his visits to hospitals, and his almsgiving; hence, after his death, the process of beatification was initiated. In 1781 his virtues were declared heroic by Pius VI.
The fruit of his charity was the founding of a hospital for needy convalescents near S. Giovanni in Laterano. He had the Colosseum closed to prevent its profanation.