BELLISOMI, CARLO. - Cardinal, b. 30 Sept. 1739 at Pavia, d. 9 Aug. 1808 at Cesena. Of a patrician family, he was educated in Rome at the Clementine College. After his father’s death, he returned to his native
city, where he continued his theological studies and obtained the degree utritusque iuris. In 1775 he was sent as nuncio to Cologne, where he remained until 1786, when he was transferred to the nunciature of Portugal. Created cardinal by Pius VI on 14 Feb. 1785, he was reserved in pectore and proclaimed in the Consistory of 21 Feb. 1794, with the title of S. Maria della Pace. Elected bishop of Cesena in 1795, he took part in the Conclave that began in Venice on 1 Dec. 1799: B. received the support of the majority of the cardinals present, but because of the obstinate opposition of Cardinal Herzan, who represented Austrian interests and supported the candidacy of Cardinal Mattei, it was not possible for him to obtain the required two-thirds. The Conclave dragged on until 14 March 1800, when Cardinal Chiaramonti (Pius VII) was elected.
He was buried in the cathedral of Cesena.