[1] He was born in Syracuse, Sicily (now Italy), and he was brought up for the church under the belief that Paolo would become a pope and a saint, because of a prediction.

[2] He had played several times against Giovanni Leonardo Di Bona in Italy, and the two chess players were considered equal.

As a result, they became the strongest chess players of the era, and henceforth the two were called the "Light" and "Lustre" of the noble game.

In France, Catherine de Medici, who was also adept at chess, showered favours upon him; and, in Portugal, he had the honour of having the King Don Sebastian for his adversary.

[5] His body was buried in the church of Saint Francesco di Paola; Prince Stigliano and many of the Neapolitan nobility followed him to the grave.