Born in 1386 in Capistrano in the Abruzzi, John was married in his youth but it was later annulled. He gave up a promising career in order to become a Franciscan. He became a popular preacher in Italy and beyond, often being entrusted with papal missions. He preached a crusade after the Turks captured Constantinople in 1453. He exhorted the victorious Christian troops at the battle of Belgrade in 1456. He died at Ilok Croatia of the plague in 1456. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 3084
