Conrad was born at
Ascoli in the
March of Ancona in 1234. He belonged to the noble family of Miliani and from his earliest years made
penance the predominating element of his life. He entered the
Order of Friars Minor at
Ascoli together with his townsman and lifelong friend,
Girolamo d'Ascoli, afterwards
minister general, and later pope under the title of
Nicholas IV. Later together they went to the
cloister in Assisi to complete their training in the religious life and then to
Perugia to continue their education. Conrad received a doctor's degree in theology and was sent to Rome to teach. Conrad had a great devotion to the Holy Trinity. In 1274 he obtained permission to go to Africa, where he preached throughout the different provinces of
Libya. Noted for his austerities, he was recalled from Africa, probably for reasons of health, to accompany his friend Girolamo, now papal legate, on a mission to the King of France, then at war with Spain. Conrad subsequently became lector of theology at Paris. When not engaged in teaching, Conrad preached to the people or ministered to the sick in hospitals. In 1288 he was summoned to Rome by the new pope, Nicholas IV, who wished to make him cardinal, but Conrad died on the way after reaching his native city on 19 April 1289, being then fifty-five years of age. ==Veneration==