Philibert Babou de la Bourdaisière

Not to be confused with his father Philibert Babou (c.1484-1557).

Philibert Babou de la Bourdaisière (1513 – 25 January 1570) was a Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.

Biography

Philibert Babou de la Bourdaisière was born in Brisighella in 1513, the son of Philibert Babou and Marie Gaudin. He was from a French family. His mother was the mistress of Francis I of France. His brother, Jacques Babou de la Bourdaisière, was Bishop of Angoulême.

He studied Ancient Greek and Latin, obtaining a degree from the University of Paris.

Following his brother's death, he was elected Bishop of Angoulême on January 13, 1533; he served as administrator until reaching the canonical age to be consecrated. He was counselor and master of memorials at the court of Henry II of France. He became dean of the Basilica of St. Martin, Tours. In February 1556, Henry II of France sent him to Rome as his ambassador; he remained the French ambassador under Francis II of France and Charles IX of France.

Pope Pius IV made him a cardinal priest in the consistory of February 26, 1561. He received the red hat and the titular church of San Sisto Vecchio on March 10, 1561.

On December 16, 1562, he was named administrator of the Diocese of Auxerre. He was a participant in the Council of Trent in 1562 and 1563. He opted for the titular church of San Martino ai Monti on November 17, 1564. He did not participate in the papal conclave of 1565-66 that elected Pope Pius V. He resigned the government of the diocese of Angoulême before June 4, 1567. On May 14, 1568, he opted for the titular church of Sant'Anastasia al Palatino. He was Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals from January 11, 1570 until his death, two weeks later.

He died in the palace of Sant'Apollinare in Rome on January 25, 1570. He was buried in San Luigi dei Francesi.