His birth was seen as a divine answer to their prayers, and they vowed to dedicate him to God’s service. As an infant, he suffered from a serious eye ailment that threatened his sight. His parents again turned to prayer, promising that if he were healed, they would send him to a friary for a year. After his recovery, they fulfilled this vow by placing him in the care of the Franciscan friars at San Marco Argentano when he was thirteen years old.

During his time with the Franciscans, Francis developed a deep love for solitude and prayer. He abstained from meat and other luxuries and lived a life of strict penance even before formally joining the order. After spending a year at the friary, he returned home but soon sought greater solitude. With his parents’ consent, he withdrew to live as a hermit near Paola in a cave by the sea. This period lasted about six years, during which he engaged in prayer.

At around twenty years old, Francis attracted followers who were inspired by his holy lifestyle. They built small hermitages and a chapel where they could pray together. In 1436, this group marked the beginning of what would become known as the Hermits of Saint Francis. Over time, their numbers grew significantly due to Francis’s reputation for holiness and miracles. By 1470, Pope Sixtus IV formally recognized their community.

Despite his desire for solitude, Francis was often called upon to serve others. His most notable interactions included advising kings; notably King Louis XI of France sought him out during his illness. Francis’s counsel helped restore peace between warring factions in France through strategic marriages.

In his later years, Francis continued to live humbly despite being revered by many. He spent his final months in solitude preparing for death at Plessis-lez-Tours in France. On April 2, 1507—Good Friday—he passed away at ninety-one years old after receiving Holy Communion.

Saint Francis of Paola was canonized by Pope Leo X on May 1, 1519. He is remembered as a patron saint of boatmen and mariners.