DEL FOSSO (FOSSO), GASPARE. - Archbishop, b. at Rogliano (Cosenza) on 6 Jan. 1496, d. at Reggio Calabria on 29 Dec. 1592. He entered the Order of Minims, where he was elected general in 1535 and again in 1541; from 1544 he served as procurator general until 13 May 1548, when he was appointed bishop of Scala. From there he was transferred to Calvi in Campania on 22 Apr. 1551 and later to the archbishopric of Reggio Calabria on 17 July 1560. On 21 Feb. 1561 he was sent by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo to take part in the Council of Trent, despite the presence of heretical movements in Calabria, and there delivered the opening address on 18 Jan. 1562, participating actively in the sessions and remaining until nearly the end, though he repeatedly urged his return to his diocese; he did not, however, sign the acts.
He was one of the most distinguished architects of the Catholic Reformation in Calabria and there promoted the establishment of the first seminary.