Gianbernardino Scotti

Gianbernardino Scotti (died 1568) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.

Biography

Gianbernardino Scotti was born in Magliano Sabina ca. 1478, the son of a noble family that had lived there for 400 years.[1]

He was an expert in Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, and in canon law.[1] He entered the order of the Theatines in 1525, and is believed to be the first man to receive the Theatine habit.[1] He was subsequently ordained as a priest.[1]

In 1548, he accompanied Luigi Lippomano, Bishop of Verona during the bishop's nunciature in Germany.[1] Returning from Germany, he moved to Venice to continue his studies.[1]

In 1555, Pope Paul IV, one of the founders of the Theatine Order, summoned Scotti to Rome, making him Archbishop of Trani and cardinal priest in the consistory of December 20, 1555.[1] He received the red hat and the titular church of San Matteo in Via Merulana on January 13, 1556.[1]

He participated in the papal conclave of 1559 that elected Pope Pius IV.[1] On August 9, 1559, he was transferred to the see of Piacenza.[1] Pope Pius IV called him to Rome and named him to a commission of cardinals charged with reforming the Roman Missal and the Roman Breviary.[1]

He was a participant in the papal conclave of 1565-66 that elected Pope Pius V.[1] The new pope made him a member of the Roman Inquisition, and placed him in charge of the affairs of the Eastern Catholic Churches.[1] He resigned the government of Piacenza sometime before July 23, 1568.[1]

He died in Rome on December 11, 1568.[1] He was buried in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.[1]

References

1. Entry from Biographical Dictionary of the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church