SALERNO, GIOVANNI BATTISTA. - Jesuit cardinal and theologian, b. at Cosenza on 24 Jan. 1670, d. at Rome on 30 Jan. 1729.
Having overcome many difficulties, he entered the Society of Jesus at Naples in 1678; after completing the theological course at the Collegio Romano, he held the office of lecturer in controversies at the Collegio Greco, and in 1709 became professor of law at the Collegio Germanico. In 1710 he was appointed by Clement XI auditor, counsellor, and theologian to Cardinal Albani, who was sent on an extraordinary mission to the court of Saxony. It was on that occasion that S., combining a diplomat’s fine sensibility with admirable patience and zeal, succeeded in converting the prince-elector of Saxony, Federico Augusto III (27 Nov. 1712). For this outstanding service Clement XI created him cardinal.
His principal work is the Specimen orientalis Ecclesiae ab origine ad Concilium Nicaenum (Rome 1702);
it is an essay in defence of the Catholic Church, with a predominantly irenic purpose; it is rich in documents, but poor in criticism.