He is son of Yohanna (John), son of Haykal, son of Santo El Khazen.
In 1840, He fled with his entourage from Emir (Prince) Bashir Shihab II's threat, to Cyprus after the unsuccessful rebellion against Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt, the Prince's ally.
Upon this, the Ottoman Fleet arrived to Beirut in September 10, 1840 and then sailed to Cyprus where Cheikh Francis was hiding.