His father was a prominent doctor well-loved for his abilities and his love of the poor and ill.[2] Francesco recited the Divine Office in his childhood and knew Latin by the time he turned ten in 1261.
He suffered a severe illness in his childhood but healed fast after his mother took him on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Francis of Assisi.
It was there that Angelo da Clareno - an associate of the late Francis - saw him and foretold to his mother that little Francesco would become a Franciscan in the future.
[2] He completed his humanities and philosophical studies before asking for admission into the Order of Friars Minor at their local convent in 1267 where he was under the direction of Father Gartian.
[1] He loved to call it the "best workshop in the convent" and its catalogue - of which Luke Wadding mentioned - contains works of the Church Fathers as well as mathematicians and preachers.