Blessed Francesco Zirano
Also known as
- Francesco Cirano
- Francesco Cyrano
Profile
Member of the Friars Minor Conventuals, making his profession in 1580. Priest, ordained in 1586. In 1599 he received authorization from Pope Clement VIII to collect funds to ransom Christians who were enslaved and held for ransom by Muslims in North Africa. On 20 August 1602 he arrived in Algiers, Algeria where anti–Christian sentiment was building due to an impending war between Algiers and the kingdom of Cuco; Cuco had the backing of Catholic Spain. On 1 January 1603, following a battle won by the king of Cuco, Father Francesco was dispatched to the Spanish court to take back news; he was betrayed to local Algerian soldiers who captured him and sent him to Algiers in chains. On the morning of 25 January 1603 he received notice that he was condemned to death for being a Christian, but could receive a pardon if he converted to Islam; he declined. Martyr.
Born
- flayed alive on 25 January 1603 in Algiers, Algeria
- 7 February 2014 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)
- 12 October 2014 by Pope Francis
- beatification recognition celebrated at Sassari, Sardinia, Cardinal Angelo Amato presiding
MLA Citation
- “Blessed Francesco Zirano“. CatholicSaints.Info. 11 July 2023. Web. 16 April 2024. <>