Francesco Marinoni was born in
Venice on 25 December 1490. He was a diligent student and studied for the
priesthood in
Padua where he was
ordained. Marinoni served as a canon of
Saint Mark's Cathedral in Venice. He retired this post to work with Saint
Cajetan who had established the
Theatines. He became member of that order on 9 December 1528 and assumed the name of "Giovanni". He received his habit from Cardinal Giovanni Pietro Carafa - the future
Pope Paul IV. He was the spiritual director of Cardinal
Paolo Burali d'Arezzo - future Blessed. In August 1533 he left Venice for
Naples at the request of
Pope Clement VII and remained there to direct the faithful. He also made an attempt to strengthen the faith and to prevent unorthodox views from taking root. He was appointed as the Superior of the House of San Paolo Maggiore in April 1540 and served as the spiritual director of a
Dominican convent. He also served as a spiritual advisor to Saint
Andrew Avellino. Avellino made reference to Marinoni as a great saint. Pope Paul IV wanted to bestow upon him the
archbishopric of Naples but he refused it. His age and disease undermined him as he continued to work for others in Naples and the
cholera epidemic that spread overcame him in 1562 which led to his death on 13 December 1562. ==Beatification==