Marcello Crescenzi

Marcello Crescenzi was born in Rome in 1500, the son of Mario Crescenzi and Pantasilea Capodiferro.[1]

He became a doctor of both laws.[1] He was a canon of Santa Maria Maggiore.[1] In 1525, he was made an Auditor of the Roman Rota.[1]

On 19 January 1534 he was elected Bishop of Marsi.[1] He resigned the government of the diocese sometime before 17 May 1546.[1]

Pope Paul III made him a cardinal priest in the consistory of 2 June 1542.[1] He received the red hat and the titular church of San Marcello al Corso on 6 November 1542.[1]

On 2 November 1544 the pope appointed Cardinal Crescenzi to the Council of Trent.[1] On 5 May 1546 he became administrator of the see of Conza, holding that position until his death.[1]

He was a cardinal elector at the papal conclave of 1549-50 that elected Pope Julius III.[1] The new pope made Crescenzi papal legate in Bologna.[1] He was the Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals from 19 January 1551 to 8 January 1552.[1] The pope named him to a commission on church reform on 18 February 1551 and, on 4 March 1551, named him legate a latere to the Council of Trent.[1]

He died in Verona as he was returning to Rome from Trent on 28 May 1552.[1] His remains were returned to Rome and he was buried in Santa Maria Maggiore.[1]