St. Francis was born at Paola in Calabria (1416). At an early age he led such a holy life that many disciples came to follow his way of living in the desert place to which he had retired. He gave them a rule and formed them into the Order of the Minims placing them in humility a degree below the Friars Minor. His prophecy that the Motherhouse of his order would one day stand on the Pincian Hill in Rome was fulfilled in 1493 when Charles VIII built a church there. After a long life, famous for prophecies and miracles which he seemed to work at will, he died at the age of 91 in 1508.

(Source: Fr. Lasance, The New Roman Missal)