MARIA BENUCCI ZANOBI. — Bishop, b. in Florence on 25 Aug. 1779, d. at Agra on 24 June 1824. He entered the Capuchins on 27 Sept. 1799; in 1814 he was named Prefect of the Congo Mission, and in 1822–24 Vicar Apostolic of Hindostan (Agra).
In late September 1814 Father Z. disclosed to Pius VII his inner missionary vocation. The Holy Congregation of Propaganda then assigned him to the Loanda mission, and the Supreme Pontiff appointed him — there were voices calling him “Caracul” — Prefect of the Congo Mission. After a long voyage, he arrived on 6 March 1816 at Loanda in Angola, where for six years he labored with zealous industry and directed the mission with wise and discreet prudence. His reputation had reached Rome. When it came time to name the first Apostolic Vicar of the Vicariate of Hindostan, Propaganda chose Father Z. After being consecrated titular bishop by the Bishop of Loanda, he set out on 31 July 1822 and, after a fourteen-month journey, reached Calcutta on 8 Oct. 1823. Proceeding to Agra, he was soon struck by a fever that carried him off within three days. His body lay unknown in the old church at Agra until it was found in 1893 and placed in a richly adorned urn.