Arcangelo de Bianchi

Arcangelo de Bianchi

(1516-1580)

Arcangelo de Bianchi was born in Gambolò on October 4, 1516, to Luigi Bianchi and Santina Panizzari. He entered the Dominican priory in Vigevano. He studied in Bologna, where he received his doctorate in theology in 1527. After ordination, with the permission of his superiors, he accompanied Cardinal Michele Ghislieri (later Pope Pius V) on various missions. In 1559, he became Prior of the Monastery of Santa Maria della Grazie in Milan, and five years later became Commissioner of the Roman Inquisition. The following year, on September 16, he was appointed Bishop of Teano. On May 17, 1570, Pope Pius V appointed him a cardinal presbyter with the titular church of San Cesareo in Palatio. He also became the personal confessor of the head of the Church and remained so until his death. In 1572, Pope Gregory XIII appointed him prefect of the Congregation of the Index. On September 18, 1575, he resigned from the bishopric of Teano. He died on January 18, 1580, at the age of 63. His body rests in the Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine in Rome.