Gianpaolo Della Chiesa (1521–1575) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.

Biography

Gianpaolo Della Chiesa was born in Tortona in 1521. ^[1] He was a relative of Pope Pius V. ^[1] He was educated at the University of Padua and the University of Pavia, becoming a doctor of both laws. ^[1]

He then moved to Milan to practice law. ^[1] There, he gained a reputation as a renowned lawyer. ^[1] He later traveled to Spain, where he defended Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, 3rd Duke of Terranova in his trial before Philip II of Spain. ^[1] The king was so impressed with Della Chiesa that he made him a senator of Milan and governor of Pavia for two years. ^[1]

After the death of his wife, he was sent to Rome by the Senate of Milan to attempt to settle its dispute with Cardinal Charles Borromeo. ^[1] He gained the appreciation of the pope who made him commendatory abbot of S. Pietro di Muleggio. ^[1] He also became a Referendary of the Apostolic Signatura. ^[1]

When Pope Pius V became pope, he initially offered to make Serafino Della Chiesa (Gianpaolo Della Chiesa's uncle and a member of the Canons Regular of the Lateran) his cardinal-nephew, but Serafino refused so Gianpaolo was promoted in his stead. ^[1] He became a cardinal deacon in the consistory of 24 March 1568. ^[1] He received the red hat and the deaconry of San Callisto on 5 April 1568. ^[1]

On 3 May 1568 he was appointed Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, a post he held until his death. ^[1] He was one of six cardinals appointed by the pope to investigate the case of Cardinal Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte. ^[1] He opted for the order of cardinal priests on 10 May 1570 and for the titular church of San Pancrazio on 14 May 1570. ^[1] He also served as a member of the Congregation for the League against the Turks and the Congregation of the Census. ^[1]

He participated in the papal conclave of 1572 that elected Pope Gregory XIII. ^[1]

He died in Rome on 11 January 1575 and was buried in his titular church. ^[1]

References