Lanfranco Beccari was a 12th-century Catholic bishop who served the diocese of Pavia. Born in 1124 in Gropello Cairoli, he was appointed to his episcopal seat in 1159 by Pope Alexander III. He was a staunch defender of ecclesiastical rights, which led to a significant confrontation with the local authorities in Pavia. This conflict eventually forced him to seek refuge in Rome with the Pope in 1181. He died in Pavia in 1198 and is recognized as a saint in the Catholic tradition.
Life and work
During his tenure, Lanfranco facilitated the construction of a hospital in Gropello in 1180 to assist pilgrims traveling toward Rome or the Holy Land. This institution is known today as the hospital of Saints George and Lanfranco. His commitment to the church's autonomy during disputes with secular powers defined much of his leadership. He is interred at the San Lanfranco Abbey.
Veneration and art
The saint is commemorated liturgically on June 23, the date of his death. His image appears in various artistic works, including a painting by Cima da Conegliano held in Cambridge and a sculpture by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. In Gropello Cairoli, an altar in the parish church of Saint George depicts him holding a shovel.