Francesco Pasio

Francesco Pasio ( Ba Fanji, born November or December 1554 in Bologna in the Papal States, died 30 August 1612 in Macao in China) was a missionary of the Society of Jesus who worked in a number of places in East Asia. He was among the first Jesuits in China, but is best known for his work in Japan. He arrived in Goa on 13 September 1578, in Malacca in June 1582, and in Macao on 7 August of the same year. He was originally meant to go directly to Japan, but this plan was changed at the last moment. He was sent into China as a companion to Father Michele Ruggieri and arrived in Zhaoqing on 27 December 1582. There he assisted with the instruction of candidates for baptism. After a few months, he was expelled.

As early as 22 March 1612, Father Valentin Carvalho S.J. took over as provincial, and Father Pasio travelled to Macao. He arrived in early April and died a few months later, on 30 August 1612, in Macao.