GROPPER, CASPAR. — German apostolic nuncio, born at Soest (Lower Germany) in 1519, died at Cologne on 19 March 1594.
Brother of Johann, after holding ecclesiastical offices in his homeland, in 1558 he went to Rome and was appointed Auditor of the Roman Rota. On 19 July 1573, Gregory XIII sent him as apostolic visitor to south-western Germany, entrusting him with the task of negotiating the election of the young Duke Johann Wilhelm of Cleves as coadjutor to the Bishop of Münster. Upon the bishop’s death and the outbreak of a struggle for the succession, G. failed to display adequate diplomatic skill. In 1577, also on grounds of health, he was replaced in his mission by the nuncio Bartolomeo Portia.
BIBL.: J. Hansen, Nuntiaturberichte, I-II, Berlin 1892-94; W. E. Schwarz, Die Nuntiatur-Korresp. K. G., Paderborn 1898; Pastor, IX, V. indices.