RIARIO, FAMILY. - The family's fortunes began when Paolo R. married Bianca, sister of Francesco della Rovere, the future Sixtus IV.
Of their two sons, Pietro and Girolamo, the first, PIETRO, having become a Franciscan friar, taught in Venice. He was appointed bishop of Treviso by his uncle, shortly after the latter's election as pope, on 4 Sept. 1471, and was created cardinal of S. Sisto on 16 Dec. 1471, though he was only 26 years old. He lived a lavish life as a great lord and patron, thanks to the benefices with which he was enriched, and he never left Rome except for a trip to Florence, Milan, and Venice. At his death, which occurred on 5 Jan. 1473, he was administering the patriarchate of Constantinople (since 23 Nov. 1472, following the death of Bessarion), the bishopric of Valencia-Die (from
RIARIO FAMILY - RIARIO SFORZA SISTO
which he held until 1499 when he ceded it to his brother Cesare; the bishopric of Salamanca (1482-83), that of Tréguier (1480-83), that of Osma (1483-93); from 1483 he was also Camerlengo of the Holy Church. Meanwhile, he served as legate in Perugia (1478) and in the Marches (1480-81).
Alexander VI granted him in commendam the bishopric of Viterbo on 24 Aug. 1498 (which R. held until 1506); but Raphael left Rome on 21 Nov. 1499 and did not return until the Pope's death. From Julius II, his uncle, he received in commendam Arezzo (7 July 1508-11) and then Savona (5 Dec. 1511-16). Under Leo X, having in some way compromised himself in the conspiracy of Cardinal Petrucci, he was imprisoned in the Castello (3 June 1517) and subjected to trial; he did not regain his freedom until he paid a large sum and resigned some benefices (24 June). He was bishop of Ostia from 20 Jan. 1511 until his death in Rome on 9 July 1521, and was buried near the SS. Apostoli. Through his efforts, the great Palace arose in which he incorporated the church of S. Lorenzo in Damaso, which was later destined for the Apostolic Chancery.
ALESSANDRO R., of the Bolognese branch, auditor of the Apostolic Chamber, was appointed patriarch of Alexandria on 8 Nov. 1570 and then created cardinal on 21 Feb. 1578 by Gregory XIII; on 23 March 1580 he was sent as legate to Philip II, king of Spain; in 1581 he was legate in Perugia and in Umbria; he was prefect of the Segnatura di giustizia; he died in Rome on 18 July 1585.
The last of the Bolognese branch was a FERDINANDO who in 1662 named as his heirs the R.-Sforza of Naples; from this branch came TOMMASO, born in Naples on 8 Jan.