Created cardinal in 1534, he administered the diocese of Anglona for a few days, then Parma (Aug. 13, 1535–Apr. 26, 1560), was sent to Bologna and Romagna as legate (1537–38), Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church (1537), legate in Hungary (1540) for the war against the Turks, and Patriarch of Alexandria (1541). On the instructions of Julius III, he went to Parma to attempt to reach an agreement with Ottavio Farnese in the disputes the latter had with the Holy See. He played a significant role in the conclaves of 1550 and 1555. Arrested (Aug. 31, 1555) by order of Paul IV, on account of his relations with the Spaniards, by Cardinal Carlo Carafa, he was detained for 22 days and had to pay 200,000 scudi to secure his release. In 1557 he took part in the negotiations for peace between the Pope and the Duke of Alba. In 1559 he was one of the promoters of the election of Pius IV. A Hispanophile, he safeguarded Spanish interests with the latter Pope.
SFORZA DI SANTA FIORA, GUIDO ASCANIO
BIBL.: Moroni, LXIV, pp. 93–95; Pastor, V–VI–VII, see index.