. He was born in
Jerusalem in 1185 to Jewish parents. He set off on a Genoese ship on 1 April 1219 and stopped first in
Messina before heading off to
Civitavecchia before he ended up in Rome to meet with the pope. The friar preached in the
Basilica of Saint John Lateran while in Rome where he met both
Francis of Assisi and
Dominic of Osma. It is said that he foretold that Francis would receive the
stigmata while Francis foretold his premature death. From there, he was a guest of the
Basilians in
Palermo where he was for over a month before preaching in
Agrigento for over a month before settling in
Licata. He had healed seven
lepers and the ailing
Archbishop of Palermo Bernardo de Castanea while in Palermo. He settled on the Sicilian island though his fame as a wonderworker caused crowds to flock to him. He also had success in converting some Jews though most Jews in Palermo came to despise him for this since he himself was once Jewish. He wanted to convert a
Cathar knight named Berenger (known also in sources as Berengarius). Tradition states that Berenger was living in
incest and that the friar convinced the knight's companion to leave Berenger. Berenger became enraged and had him attacked in front of the church of Santi Filippo e Giacomo in
Licata on 1 May 1220. He died of his wounds within the week of 5 May and according to tradition asked for his assassin to be pardoned while urging the faithful not to avenge his death. He was buried at Santi Filippo e Giacomo. ==Veneration==