Lorenzo Campeggio

Campeggio, Lorenzo (lōrĕnt's kämpĕd'jō), 1472?-1539, Italian churchman and diplomat, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was well known as a jurist before turning to the service of the church (c.1510) upon the death of his wife. He was made bishop in 1512 and cardinal the following year. He was chosen as legate for the most delicate missions. In 1518 he went to England to secure the adherence of Henry VIII to an alliance against Turkey. He did not succeed, but he received (1524) the bishopric of Salisbury from Henry, which he held in absentia until 1534. In 1528, Cardinal Campeggio went again to England to act with Cardinal Wolsey as judge in the divorce of Katharine of Aragón. He followed his instructions to temporize and adjourned the hearing. Cardinal Campeggio was sent to Germany in 1524 to attempt a pacification of the Lutherans, but except for a promise from Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to enforce the Edict of Worms he obtained nothing. He ardently supported the reformation of the church, especially of the papal court and of the administration of the Holy See.