Quick Facts
Biography
Sebastiano Antonio Pighini (17 September 1500 – 23 November 1553) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Biography
Sebastiano Antonio Pighini was born in Arceto, near Scandiano, on September 17, 1500, the son of Grazio Pighini and Caterina Vigarani.
After studying law, he became a cleric at Reggio Emilia. He was also a canon of the cathedral chapter of Capua Cathedral.
Moving to Rome, he became an auditor of the Roman Rota and a Chaplain of His Holiness. He also served as internuncio to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.
On August 27, 1546, he was elected Bishop of Alife. He was consecrated as a bishop in Trento Cathedral on December 21, 1546 by Cardinal Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte. He took his seat at the Council of Trent on January 13, 1547. When the Council moved to Bologna, he served as its president from March 12, 1547 until November 10, 1549. On June 4, 1548, he was transferred to the see of Ferentino, and then, on May 30, 1550, promoted to the metropolitan see of Manfredonia. He served as full nuncio to Emperor Charles V August 1550 to April 1551. He was also a Datary from 1550 to 1552.
Pope Julius III made him a cardinal priest in the consistory of November 20, 1551; published in the consistory of May 30, 1552. He received the red hat and the titular church of San Callisto on June 27, 1552. He was made papal vicar over all the tribunals of Rome. On December 11, 1553, he was named administrator of the see of Adria.
He died in Rome on November 23, 1553. He was buried in Santa Maria del Popolo.