Federico Cesi (cardinal)
A 16th-century Italian cardinal who navigated the turbulent politics of the Counter-Reformation as a papal diplomat and administrator.
1500–1565 (age 65)·Italian bishop and cardinal·Birthday: July 1
Biography
Federico Cesi operated in the high-stakes world of the Renaissance Catholic Church, a realm of faith, power, and intricate diplomacy. Born into a noble Roman family in 1500, he was groomed for ecclesiastical service from a young age. His rise through the Church's ranks was steady, culminating in his elevation to the cardinalate by Pope Paul IV in 1557. Cesi was not a theologian known for doctrinal writings but a prince of the Church, a manager and a representative. He served as Bishop of Todi and later as the administrator of several other dioceses, a common practice for senior churchmen of his era. His life was spent in the corridors of Vatican power, helping to administer the Church's vast temporal and spiritual affairs during the critical period of the Council of Trent, which defined the Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation.
#1 When Federico Was Born
The biggest hits of 1500
Federico's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1500Born
1505Started school
1513Became a teenager
1516Could drive
1518Could vote
1521Turned 21
1530Turned 30
1540Turned 40
1550Turned 50
1560Turned 60
1565Died at 65
Key Achievements
- Was created a cardinal by Pope Paul IV in the consistory of 15 March 1557.
- Served as Bishop of Todi from 1545 until his death in 1565.
- Participated in the papal conclave of 1559 that elected Pope Pius IV.
- Held the administrative role of Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals.
Did You Know?
He should not be confused with his later relative, Federico Cesi, who founded the Accademia dei Lincei, one of the world's first scientific academies.
His tomb is located in the church of Santa Maria in Via, Rome.
He was appointed a cardinal alongside his older brother, Paolo Emilio Cesi.
“The Church is a vineyard; it requires both pruning and patient cultivation.”
