Francisco Desprats

Francisco Desprats (1454–1504) (called the Cardinal of León) was a Spanish Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.

Biography

Francisco Desprats was born in Orihuela in 1454.^[1][2] He was educated at the University of Lleida, becoming a doctor of both laws.^[1]

Early in his career, he became a canon of the cathedral chapter of Orihuela Cathedral.^[1] In March 1483, he became the pastor of Almoradí.^[1] In 1483, he traveled to Rome, joining the household of Cardinal Roderic Llançol i de Borja (who later became Pope Alexander VI) and becoming a protonotary apostolic.^[1] In July 1486, he became canon schoolmaster of the cathedral chapter of Cartagena Cathedral.^[1] In 1492, Pope Alexander VI made him the Holy See's first permanent nuncio, to the Catholic Monarchs.^[1]

He was elected Bishop of Catania on February 14, 1498.^[1] He was transferred to the see of Astorga on February 9, 1500; he occupied this see from February 5, 1501 until his death.^[1]

Pope Alexander VI made him a cardinal priest in the consistory of May 31, 1503.^[1] He received the titulus of Santi Sergio e Bacco (a deaconry raised pro illa vice to the status of titulus) on June 12, 1503.^[1]

He participated in both the papal conclave of September 1503 that elected Pope Pius III and the papal conclave of October 1503 that elected Pope Julius II.^[1]

He died in Rome on September 10, 1504.^[1] He is buried in San Salvatore in Lauro.^[1]

References