St. Franca of Piacenza (Franca Visalta), abbess

St. Franca of Piacenza, also known as Franca Visalta, was an Italian abbess who lived in the 12th century. Born in Piacenza, she joined the Benedictine order and eventually became the abbess of the Monastery of St. Savior. Franca was known for her piety, charity, and miracles, including curing the blind and the lame. She is venerated as a patron saint of Piacenza and is invoked for protection against eye diseases.