Scalabrini was the guardian angel of the many Italians who emigrated to the United States in the 19th century in search of fortune and founded a congregation, with male and female branches, that has been welcoming and supporting migrants ever since. Pope Francis I approved the favorable votes of the ordinary session of the fathers cardinals and bishops for the canonization of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini.

Founder of the congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles and of the congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo, born in Fino Mornasco (Como) on July 8, 1830, at the age of 36 Scalabrini was chosen as bishop of Piacenza, where the congregation's mother house is located: to date, there are more than 600 Scalabrini missionaries in the world.