ZENO, BATTISTA. — Cardinal, b. in Venice in 1439, d. in Padua on 8 May 1501.
A nephew of Paul II, he was created cardinal by the latter on 21 Nov. 1468, and archpriest of the Vatican Basilica. Of irreproachable moral conduct, he never exerted undue influence in the Roman Curia, nor did he accumulate excessive wealth. Sixtus IV appointed him bishop of Vicenza (1473) and later titular bishop of the suburbicarian see of Albano. In the conclave of 1492 he was considered one of the most papabile candidates and was supported by King Ferrante of Naples. Under Alexander VI he retired to his homeland. A friend of art, he oversaw the restoration and adornment of churches in Rome, Venice, and Venice.
BIBL.: anon., Tiara et purpura Veneta ab anno 1370 ad annum 1759, Brescia 1761, pp. 34 ff.; Moroni, CIII, p. 460; Pastor, II, V. index.