Born in the village of Camporosso in the diocese of Ventimiglia, Blessed Francis Mary showed great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary from his early youth. As a young man, he went to Mass every morning, and then began his work as a herdsman. He spent any time left over saying his prayers, or teaching the catechism. He entered the Capuchin friary in Genoa, where he was outstanding for his great charity towards the poor and the wretched. He spent most of his time with sailors, merchants, and the common people, who called him a saint. God gave him the gift of foretelling the future. He died a victim of the plague which was raging among the inhabitants of Genoa on September 17, 1866 and was beatified by Pius XI.