GIOVANNI RICCI. — Cardinal, born in Montepulciano c. 1497, died 3 May 1574 in Rome.
He went to Rome in 1515 in the service of Cardinal Antonio Del Monte, later serving the Apostolic Camera (1534–39); subsequently he was entrusted by Paul III with political missions to Charles V, until in June 1544 he was sent to Portugal and appointed Archbishop of Siponto; from there in October 1549 he moved as nuncio and collector to Spain. Created Treasurer of the Apostolic Camera in 1551, he returned to Italy and was made a cardinal by Julius III on 20 November 1551. He administered the bishopric of Montepulciano and in 1567 that of Pisa. He took part in the elections of five popes and in that of 1566 was opposed by Carlo Borromeo. He built the Palazzo Ricci in Montepulciano, the present Palazzo Sacchetti on Via Giulia in Rome, and the Villa Medici on the Pincio. He was also a collector of artworks and antiquities. In April 1573 he became Bishop of Sabina.