Benedict the Moor

Benedict the Moor, O.F.M., was an Italian Franciscan friar in Sicily who is venerated as a saint in the Catholic and Lutheran churches. Born of African slaves in San Fratello, he was freed at birth and became known for his charity. As a young man he joined a Franciscanaffiliated hermit group, of which he became the leader. In 1564 he was sent to the Franciscan friary in Palermo, where he continued good works.

Benedict was born to Cristoforo and Diana Manasseri, Africans who were taken as slaves in the early 16th century to San Fratello , a small town near Messina, Sicily. They were given Italian names and later were converted to Christianity. The Italian il Moro for the dark skinned has been interpreted as referring to Moorish heritage. Because of his appearance, Benedict was also called thiops or Niger

Source: Wikipedia