GALLIO, TOLOMEO. — Cardinal, born in
Cernobbio in 1526, died in Rome on 3
February 1607. Secretary to Cardinal Gian
Angelo Medici, when the latter became
pope (Pius IV), he appointed him
archbishop of Manfredonia (1560) and
then cardinal (1565), and entrusted him
with diplomatic assignments.
Under Gregory XIII he was the Pope’s intimate secretary and Secretary of State,
acquiring very great influence at
court. In diplomatic relations he pursued
a distinctly pro-Spanish policy,
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 supported by the
Spanish government. Extremely wealthy, he had the
Villa d’Este built at Cernobbio and another
at Frascati.