GALLIO, Tolomeo. — Cardinal, b. at Cernobbio in 1526, d. at Rome on 3 Feb. 1607. Secretary to Cardinal Gian Angelo Medici, he was appointed by the latter, after his elevation to the papacy (Pius IV), Archbishop of Manfredonia (1560) and later cardinal (1565), and was entrusted with diplomatic missions.
With Gregory XIII he served as intimate secretary to the Pope and Secretary of State, acquiring immense influence at court. In his diplomatic relations he pursued a policy distinctly favourable to Spain, an attitude he maintained throughout his life. Under Sixtus V he was a member of various congregations, especially that of the Council, and advocated the establishment of seminaries. In the various conclaves in which he participated, he was one of the papabili favoured by the Spanish government. Extremely wealthy, he built the Villa d’Este at Cernobbio and another at Frascati.