PASSERINI, PIETRO. - Dominican canonist, born at Sestola (Modena) on 18 June 1597, died at Rome on 21 June 1677. He entered religious life at Cremona (1612), studied at Bologna, and taught at Cremona, where he was prior (1640-42). Companion of the master general T. Turco, he accompanied him on his travels through Italy, France, Belgium, and Spain (1645-49); he was subsequently inquisitor at Bologna (1650-51) and finally procurator general of the Order (1651-77), vicar general (1669-70), and professor at the Sapienza (1655-77). Buried at S. Sabina.
An eminent canonist, esteemed by the popes, venerated and consulted by cardinals and bishops, he wrote: De electione canonica (Rome 1661, Cologne 1693); De hominum statibus et officiis (3 vols., Rome 1663-65, Lucca 1732); Commentaria in I-V libros sexti Decretalium (3 vols., Rome 1667-73); Regulare tribunal (ibid. 1677). Among his theological works should be recalled: Commentaria theologica in III partem D. Thomae (3 vols., ibid. 1669).