Benedict the Moor OFM (Italian: Benedetto il Moro; 1526 – 4 April 1589) was a Sicilian Franciscan friar.

Because of his appearance, Benedict was also called Æthiops or Niger (both referring to black skin color and not the modern-day countries).

He started at the friary as a cook, but, showing the degree of his advancement in the spiritual life, he was soon appointed as the master of novices, and later as Guardian of the community, although he was a lay brother rather than a priest, and was illiterate.

Benedict accepted the promotion, and successfully helped the order adopt a stricter version of the Franciscan Rule of life.

[1] In a New York Times review of the 2012 exhibit, Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe, at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, Maryland, his birth date is given as 1526.

[3] Upon his death, King Philip III of Spain ordered the construction of a magnificent tomb to house his remains in the friary church.

His major shrine was located at the Convent of Santa Maria di Gesù al Capo in Palermo.

He was declared a patron saint of African Americans,[5] along with the Dominican lay brother, Martin de Porres.