Pompeo Zambeccari

Pompeo Zambeccari was born in Bologna in 1518[2]. He undergo tonsure (and so entered in the clergy) at the age of 12 and, supported by the Colonna family, in 1531 he was granted the incomes of the Abbey of Santo Spirito d'Ocre and later of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Bominaco.[3] On 24 October 1541 he completed his studies earning a doctorate in utroque iure in the University of Bologna and he moved to Rome.[3]

In Rome, Zambeccari undergo doctorate studies in Law at the Archiginnasio Romano (as it was called at the time La Sapienza University), and joined the Accademia Romana where he met and was estimated by the humanists of the town.[3] In the meantime he entered in the service of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese,[4] nephew of Pope Paul III, and because of that he was appointed deputy of the Farfa Abbey and commander of the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia in Rome.

On 20 June 1536 he was appointed Protonotary apostolic and finally on 1 July 1547 he was appointed Bishop of Valva and Sulmona.[5] The episcopal consecration followed on 3 April 1548 in the church of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Bologna by the hands of Cardinal Giovanni Morone.[1]

In March 1550 Pompeo Zambeccari was appointed by Pope Julius III new Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal[6] probably without having received detailed instructions. All his nunciature was marked by the lack of a true interest of Rome for the affairs of Portugal.[1] In Portugal Pompeo was interested in the process of beatification of Gonçalo de Amarante. In spring 1552 Pompeo had meetings with king John III of Portugal in order to applicate in Portugal the decrees of the Council of Trent.[1] In 1553 Rome sent Giovanni Francesco Mazza di Canobio to offer the title of Apostolic legate of Portugal to Cardinal Henry of Portugal, the brother of the king. Pompeo Zambeccari so left the Portugal on 25 November 1553, and on 16 September 1554 he entered in Sulmona.[4]

In the following years, Pompeo lived for long periods in Rome notwithstanding the requirement issued by the Council of Trent that bishop should live in their diocese. In Rome Pompeo renovated his family palace nearby the Basilica of the Santi Apostoli: such renovation was so impressive that in January 1554 Pope Julius III blamed him because Pompeo's palace was even more majestic than the ones of the most important Cardinals.[3]^:82

Pompeo Zambeccari arrived in Trento in 17 January 1562 to attend the last session of the Council of Trent. He later returned to Sulmona where he renovated the Episcopal Palace.[4] He had an illegitimate son, named Lepido.[2]

He died in l'Aquila on 8 August 1571 and was buried in his Abbey of Santo Spirito d'Ocre,[1] notwithstanding he had prepared for himself a burial in his family chapel in Basilica of the Santi Apostoli in Rome.[4]