VINCENZO LAUREO. — Cardinal, born in Tropea in Calabria on 28 March 1525 to Antonello and Rainonda Milliarisi.
He studied in Padua and from there went to Rome, subsequently residing with Cardinals Parisi, Gaddi, and Francesco di Tournon, accompanying the latter to France to assist the King of Navarre at his death. With Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, he returned to Rome in 1565. On 20 January 1566, he was elected by Pius V as Bishop of Mondovì, and on 29 August 1566, he was sent as nuncio to Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, though he could not enter that kingdom due to the predominance of Protestants. In 1573, he was sent as nuncio to Poland and later accredited to King Stephen Báthory on 6 November 1576, rendering valuable assistance to the sovereign in restoring Catholicism in the country (Pastor, IX, pp. 674 ff.). He remained in Poland until 1578. In September 1580, he was sent as nuncio to Savoy to address the state of the country following the death of Emanuele Filiberto (30 August), and by 31 December 1583, he was created cardinal. In October 1587, he resigned the see of Mondovì, as he could no longer govern it due to his numerous duties in the Curia, where he wielded great authority. A great friend of the Jesuits, he was also protector of the Ministers of the Sick, whom he benefited even after his death. He died in Rome on 17 December 1592 and was buried in S. Clemente.