Montecorvino was the forerunner of Catholicism's prevalence inChina. He came toChinain 1289 and arrived inBeijingfour years later. He met the emperor and got the approval to missionize inChina.

Under his influence, more than 6,000 people received Baptism and became Catholic. He also built two churches inBeijing. Later, he was appointed as the archbishop by the Pope, and became the founder of the first Catholic Parish inChina.

He lived inChinafor more than 30 years, translated many lections and poems in the Bible. In 1328, he died inBeijing.