Francis Borgia was born near Valencia, Spain, on October 28, 1510. He was the son of the Duke of Gandia and the great-grandson of Pope Alexander VI.

Although as a child he was very pious and wished to become a monk, his family sent him instead to the court of the Emperor Charles V. He distinguished himself there, accompanying the Emperor on several campaigns and marrying a Portuguese noblewoman, Eleanor de Castro, by whom he had several children. While still a young man, he was made viceroy of his native Catalonia, and administered the province with great efficiency.

His true interests, however, lay elsewhere. When his father died, the new Duke of Gandia retired to his native place and led, with his wife and family, a life devoted entirely to religion.

In 1546 Eleanor died, and Francis determined to enter the newly formed Society of Jesus. He put his affairs in order, renounced his titles in favour of his eldest son, and became a Jesuit priest. Because of his high birth, great abilities and Europe-wide fame, he was immediately offered a cardinal's hat. This, however, he refused, preferring the life of an itinerant preacher. In time, however, his friends persuaded him to accept the leadership role that nature and circumstances had destined him for: in 1554, he became the Jesuits' commissary-general in Spain; and, in 1565, General of the entire order.

His successes have caused historians to describe Francis as the greatest General after Ignatius. He founded the Collegium Romanum, which was to become the Gregorian University, dispatched missionaries to distant corners of the globe, advised kings and popes, and closely supervised all the affairs of the rapidly expanding order. Yet, despite the great power of his office, Francis led the simplest of lives, and was widely regarded in his own lifetime as a saint.

Francis Borgia died on September 30, 1572 and was canonized in 1671. His feast day is October 10.