BERNARDINO GIRAUD. — Cardinal, born in Rome on 14 July 1721, died there on 3 March 1782. Appointed in 1763 by Clement XIII as auditor of the Roman Rota, he was elected by the same Pontiff in 1767 as titular archbishop of Damascus and nuncio to Paris. On special commission from Clement XIV, he received in the Pope’s name the solemn profession of Louise Marie, daughter of the King of France, a Discalced Carmelite in the monastery of Saint-Denis; on this occasion he was granted the privilege of wearing cardinalatial attire.
Created and reserved in pectore at the Consistory of 17 June 1771, Clement XIV published his nomination on 19 April 1773 with the title of Santissima Trinità al Monte Pincio, and sent him as archbishop to Ferrara, where he remained until 1777. He contributed effectively to the election of Pius VI, who wished him to be his auditor and showed him particular favour. However, Giraud opposed the Pope’s journey to Vienna and died before his return. He left his estate to the poor, and through them Pius VI; the Pope disposed of the inheritance to build in Rome the Pio Conservatory and to establish a school of design at the Christian Brothers’ house at San Salvatore in Lauro.