Francesco Gonzaga (1538–1566)
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Francesco Gonzaga (6 December 1538 – 6 January 1566) was an Italian
Biography
Francesco Gonzaga was born in Palermo on 6 December 1538, the son of Ferrante Gonzaga (a member of the House of Gonzaga) and Isabella di Capua. His father was at that time viceroy of Palermo. He was the nephew of Federico II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua.[1] His brother Giovanni Vincenzo Gonzaga also became a cardinal.[2]
When Ferrante died in 1557 Ercole Gonzaga became guardian and the young Mantuan humanist and future Jesuit Antonio Possevino became tutor to the brothers. Francesco studied law at the University of Padua. He began an ecclesiastical career under the guidance of his uncle, Cardinal Ercole Gonzaga. In 1538, he was made archpriest of Guastalla. On 26 February 1560 he became a protonotary apostolic.[2]
In March 1560, Francesco's older brother
Francesco resided for a time at the papal court, keeping his uncle Cardinal Ercole, who retired to his native Mantua, informed on the affairs of the Curia, the intrigues and factional struggles that took place there, and on the relations of Pius IV with his Borromeo relatives and with the princes. Cardinal Ercole was an influential participant in the Council of Trent. Francesco's letters, almost always inspired by Cardinal Borromeo and revised and corrected by him, constituted an indirect means often used by the pope to communicate his decisions to Ercole Gonzaga. In turn, the cardinal supplied his nephew, first from Mantua, then from Trento - where he had gone on 16 April 1561 to preside over the college of legates of the council -, suggestions, and advice and information.[1]
On 2 March 1562 he was elected
On 16 July 1562 he opted for
He arrived ill at the
References
Sources
- Losito, Maria (2005). La Casina Pio IV in Vaticano. Vatican City: Pontificia Accademia delle Scienze.