Pier Francesco Ferrero

Pier Francesco Ferrero was born in Biella in 1506, the son of Goffredo Ferrero, marquis of Bordolano, and his second wife Margherita Sanseverino, marchioness of Bordolano.[1] He was the nephew of Cardinals Gianstefano Ferrero and Bonifacio Ferrero.[1] His older brother, Filiberto Ferrero, also became a cardinal, as did his nephew, Guido Luca Ferrero.[1]

From 1527 to 1550, he was the Abbot of San Stefano, Vercelli.[1] On December 20, 1536, he was elected Bishop of Vercelli.[1] In 1540, he served as vice-legate to Bologna when his uncle Cardinal Bonifacio Ferrero was legate.[1] He served as a delegate to the Council of Trent in 1552.[1] In 1557, he was auditor of Cardinal Carlo Carafa in Brussels.[1] He was nuncio to the Republic of Venice from 1560 to March 1, 1561.[1]

Pope Pius IV made him a cardinal priest in the consistory of February 26, 1561.[1] He received the red hat and the titular church of San Cesareo in Palatio on June 3, 1561.[1] On November 10, 1561, he opted for the titular church of Sant'Agnese in Agone.[1] He resigned the government of the Diocese of Vercelli on May 2, 1562.[1] On October 7, 1566, he opted for the titular church of Sant'Anastasia.[1]

He died in Rome on November 14, 1566.[1] He was buried in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.[1]

• Catholic Church in Italy