Roman Catholic Saint. Born Giovanni Evengelista Croese, he came from a farming family who, receiving his early education from the local curate, having befriended a Conventual Friar, became a tertiary among the Franciscan Conventuals at Sestri on October 14, 1822. Not entirely satisfied with the tertianship way of life, seeking advice from Friar Alessandro Canepa at the Capuchin Friary of Voltri, he was admitted as a postulant among the Franciscan Minor Capuchins, receiving the religions name of Francesco Maria. Taking his first vows in the hands of Friar Samuel Bocciardo of Genoa on December 17, 1826, he was assigned to the Province's principal friary, that of the Immaculate Conception in Genoa, which at the time housed ninety friars, the provincial curia, an infirmary, a retirement home, a vast library and where material for the friars's clothing was produced. The friary also provided sanitary care and served as a public distribution center for wood, the sole source of energy at the time. With Francesco Maria helping wherever need arose, he eventually began serving as a questuant, assisting at first Fra Pio of Pontedecimo who quested in the area of Val Bisagno as he could no longer continue the arduous task of climbing mountains. At night time, the rural questors would take shelter at the villa of the Sauli family. There, Fra Francesco not only prepared food for his elder companion, but also slept on the stairs so that Pio could have the bed. Soon becoming popular among the residents of both the city and its surroundings, he earned the nickname "Padre Santo", with people confiding there problems and distress in him. Parents, shopkeepers, sailors and prostitutes were among those who sought his comfort. Being eventually conferred the office of chief questant, the turbulent period of the era had both the hospital and much of the Capuchin Friary of Genoa confiscated by the state for its own purposes, with the situation of the city soon entering into disarray when in 1866 cholera was discovered on-board a vessel docked at the port. Notwithstanding the dangers, Fra Francesco continued with his ministry and, offering to assist the sick, fell a victim of charity on September 17. With his body quickly entombed in a lead casket at the Staglieno Cemetery, in 1911 his remains were transferred to the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception. Beatified by Pope Pius XI on June 30, 1929, Pope John XXIII canonized him on December 9, 1962 at the conclusion of the first session of the Second Vatican Council along with with Pierre-Julien Eymard and Antonio Maria Pucci. His liturgical celebration is held on September 17.