Ludovico de Torres was born in Rome in 1552. His family was originally from
Málaga,
Spain. He studied law at the
University of Perugia and then earned a doctorate from the
University of Bologna in both canon and civil law. In 1572, he served as vicar general of the diocese of Monreale where his uncle was bishop; and then returned to Rome where he served as vicar of
S. Lorenzo in Damaso, Canon of the patriarchal Liberian basilica, and
Scrittore apostolico to the Curia. On 22 January 1588, he was appointed during the papacy of
Pope Sixtus V as
Archbishop of Monreale succeeding his uncle of the same name. On 31 January 1588, he was consecrated bishop at the church of S. Lorenzo in Damaso by
Gabriele Paleotti,
Archbishop of Bologna, with
Silvio Savelli,
Archbishop of Rossano, and
José Esteve Juan,
Bishop of Vieste, serving as co-consecrators. In the consistory of 11 September 1606, he was elevated by
Pope Paul V to
Cardinal-Priest and on 19 December 1606, received the title of
San Pancrazio. On 4 July 1607 he was named
librarian of the Holy Roman Church. He served as Archbishop of Monreale until his death on 8 July 1609. He is buried in the metropolitan
cathedral of Monreale. He was the uncle of Cardinal
Cosimo de Torres, who later served as Archbishop of Monreale (1634-1642); and was a close friend of poet
Torquato Tasso. ==Episcopal succession==