Gerardo Cagnoli was a 13th-century Italian Franciscan friar who lived as both a hermit and a religious brother. Born into a noble family in Valenza, he dedicated his life to service after caring for his mother. Following a journey through Rome and Naples, he sought solitude on the slopes of Mount Etna. He eventually joined the Order of Friars Minor, serving in Sicilian convents where he was recognized for his simple, childlike character and his reputation for performing miracles.