Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro was born on August 8, 1936, in Dovadola, Italy, as the second of six children to Guido Bianchi Porro and Elsa Giammarchi. At three months old, she contracted polio, leading to a brace on her left leg and the use of an orthopedic shoe to prevent spinal deformation. Despite these early health challenges, Benedetta demonstrated academic excellence and a profound spiritual depth from a young age. In 1953, she enrolled in medical school at the University of Milan, driven by a desire to alleviate the suffering of others. However, during her studies, she began to experience progressive hearing loss and other neurological symptoms, leading to a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare genetic disorder. This condition forced her to abandon her medical studies as she gradually lost her senses of hearing, sight, and touch.

Confined to her home, Benedetta transformed her personal suffering into a source of spiritual strength. She maintained extensive correspondence, offering comfort and guidance to those facing their own trials. Her writings reflect a deep faith and an acceptance of her condition, viewing her suffering as a means to unite more closely with Christ. In May 1962, she undertook a pilgrimage to Lourdes, seeking physical healing. While she did not receive a cure, the experience fortified her spiritual resolve. Her health continued to decline, and by October 1963, she was completely blind and immobile, yet she remained a beacon of hope and faith to all who visited her.

Benedetta passed away on January 23, 1964, at the age of 27. Her cause for beatification began in 1975, and she was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II in 1993. Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to her intercession, leading to her beatification on September 14, 2019, in Forlì, Italy.