Francesco della Penna

Who was Francesco della Penna?

Francesco Orazio Olivieri della Penna was a Capuchin missionary to Tibet who became prefect of the Tibetan Mission.

Born in Pennabilli, Della Penna entered the Capuchin monastery of Pietrarubbia. While he was there, a decree by the Sacra Congregazione di Propaganda Fide declared the establishment of a Catholic mission “"in the direction of the source of the Ganges River, towards the kingdom of Tibet.” Della Penna was amongst those selected, and he arrived in Lhasa on June 12, 1707. He returned to Rome after the penniless and starving missionaries decided to reorganize their efforts; he returned to Lhasa in 1716. Della Penna studied the Tibetan language and culture at the monastery of Sera under a Lama. During his stay, Della Penna began composing a Tibetan-Italian dictionary. By 1732, the dictionary composed about 33,000 words. He also translated some important Tibetan works. He translated into Tibetan Bellarmine's Christian Doctrine and Thurlot's Treasure of Christian Doctrine. From Tibetan into Italian, he translated the History of the life and works of Shakiatuba, the restorer of Lamaism, Three roads leading to perfection, and On transmigration and prayer to God. A Tibetan printing works was eventually built during Della Penna's stay.