Carlo
Grassi was born in
Bologna in 1519, the son of Bolognese
patrician Palatine Count Giannantonio Grassi and his wife Diana Grati. He was the grand-nephew of Cardinal
Achille Grassi. He was educated at the
University of Bologna. He received the
subdiaconate before becoming
canon and
archpriest of
Bologna Cathedral in 1550. In 1554, he became a
Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness. He became a
doctor of both laws in 1557. On 20 December 1555, he was elected
Bishop of Montefiascone e Corneto; he was subsequently
consecrated as a bishop. During the
sede vacante of 1559, the
College of Cardinals appointed him to be governor of
Rome, a post he held from 19 August 1559 until 26 March 1560. On 30 March 1560
Pope Pius IV named him governor of
Umbria and
Perugia, with the title of vice-
legate from 5 May 1560 until June 1561. From 18 November 1561 until 1562, he was vice-legate in
Camerino. He participated in the
Council of Trent from 11 November 1562 until its closing in 1563; he was named a member of the commission to revise the decree of reform on 8 October 1563. On 20 January 1564 he was named governor of
Viterbo and the
Patrimonium Sancti Petri. He became a cleric in the
Apostolic Camera on 24 March 1565. He also served as the
praefectus annonae in 1565. From 8 June 569 until 17 May 1570, he was governor of Rome and Vice-
Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
Pope Pius V made him a
cardinal priest in the
consistory of 17 May 1570. He received the
red hat and the
titular church of
Sant'Agnese in Agone on 9 June 1570. The pope charged him with seeking the support of the
Republic of Venice and
Spain for war against the
Ottoman Empire. He was also charged with some reforms of the
Roman Curia. He died on 25 March 1571. He was buried in
Trinità dei Monti. ==See also==