SFORZA DI SANTA FIORA, ALESSANDRO. – Cardinal, born in 1534, died at Macerata on 16 May 1581, son of Costanza di Alessandro Farnese (Paolo III).
He studied at Perugia, was a canon of St Peter’s, and held several abbeys. He took part in the Council of Trent. He was a member of the Apostolic Camera. He was superintendent of the papal grain supply. Bishop of Parma in 1560, he held the Synod there in 1564. He was appointed cardinal in 1565. At the behest of Pius V, he presided over the repair of the consular roads in the Papal States; he was legate to Bologna and Romagna (1570), and subsequently to the entire Papal States except Bologna (1580), to undertake the suppression of brigandage. He was prefect of the Segnatura. His appointment to the bishopric of Narni from May to 25 Nov. 1537 is disputed.