Francesco Sfondrati

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Francesco Sfondrati
Born	(1493-10-26)26 October 1493 Cremona, Italy
Died	31 July 1550(1550-07-31) (aged 56) Cremona, Italy
Burial place	Cremona Cathedral
Spouse	Anna Visconti ​ (died 1538)​
Children	Niccolò, 6 others
Parent	Giovanni Battista Sfondrati Margherita Homodeo

Francesco Sfondrati (26 October 1493 – 31 July 1550) was a professor of law at a series of Italian universities, and held important positions as a counselor of Emperor Charles V. He married Anna Visconti, with whom he had a number of children, one of which eventually became Pope Gregory XIV.

After making provision for his children, he accepted Pope Paul III's invitation to enter the service of the Holy See. He held a number of curial appointments. He was made cardinal and in 1549 named bishop of Cremona.