Gianbernardino Scotti

Gianbernardino Scotti (died 1568) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.

Gianbernardino Scotti was born in Magliano Sabina ca. 1478, the son of a noble family that had lived there for 400 years.

He was an expert in Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, and in canon law. He entered the order of the Theatines in 1525, and is believed to be the first man to receive the Theatine habit. He was subsequently ordained as a priest.

In 1548, he accompanied Luigi Lippomano, Bishop of Verona during the bishop's nunciature in Germany. Returning from Germany, he moved to Venice to continue his studies.

In 1555, Pope Paul IV, one of the founders of the Theatine Order, summoned Scotti to Rome, making him Archbishop of Trani and cardinal priest in the consistory of December 20, 1555. He received the red hat and the titular church of San Matteo in Via Merulana on January 13, 1556.

He participated in the papal conclave of 1559 that elected Pope Pius IV. On August 9, 1559, he was transferred to the see of Piacenza. Pope Pius IV called him to Rome and named him to a commission of cardinals charged with reforming the Roman Missal and the Roman Breviary.

He was a participant in the papal conclave of 1565-66 that elected Pope Pius V. The new pope made him a member of the Roman Inquisition, and placed him in charge of the affairs of the Eastern Catholic Churches. He resigned the government of Piacenza sometime before July 23, 1568.

He died in Rome on December 11, 1568. He was buried in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.