BERTANO, PIETRO. - Bishop and cardinal, born in Nonantola (Modena) on Nov. 4, 1501, died in Rome on March 8, 1558. An appreciated diplomat and skilled theologian. He became a Dominican in Modena in 1516; he studied in Bologna where he graduated. Highly esteemed by Paul III, he was called to Rome in 1534. In 1536, on behalf of the Pope, he negotiated a delicate affair with the Duke of Urbino; he was theologian to Card. Ercole Gonzaga, who on Nov. 28, 1537, ceded in his favor the bishopric of Fano which he held in commendam. He participated from Feb. 1546 to March 1547 in the Council of Trento, making himself notable for his profound theological learning and pastoral zeal. Sent as nuncio to Charles V in June 1548, in 1551 he carried out delicate assignments with great success. Julius III created him cardinal priest with the title of SS. Marcellino e Pietro on Nov. 20, 1551. He was buried in S. Sabina. His works remain in manuscript: Commentaria in universum s. Thomae Summam, and Tractatus de potestate papae contra Lutherum.
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For the Council of Trento: G. Tiraboschi, Bibliotheca Modenese, I, Modena 1781, p. 247; W. Friedenburg, Nuntiaturberichte aus Deutschland, I, VIII, IX, X, XII, Gotha 1892-1908 (v. indice); A. Walz, Gli inizi domenicani al Concilio, in Il Concilio di Trento, 2 (1943), p. 212 ff.; id., Elenco dei Padri e teologi domenicani al Concilio di Trento, in Angelicum, 22 (1945), p. 33. Alfonso D'Amato