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Third of ten children. His mother, Cinzia Cervini, a niece of Pope
Marcellus II, was dedicated to almsgiving, prayer, meditation, fasting,
and mortification; his father was Vincenzo Bellarmino. Suffered assorted
health problems all his life. Jesuit educated. Became a Jesuit on 20
September 1560. Taught Greek, Hebrew, and theology at Louvain, Florence,
and Mondovi from 1570 to 1576 when he was appointed to the chair of
controversial theology at the Roman College. Priest. Became college rector
in 1592. Provincial of Naples in 1594. Created Cardinal in 1598 by Pope
Clement VIII, he lived an austere life in Rome, giving most of his money
to the poor. At one point he used the tapestries in his living quarters to
clothe the poor, saying that "the walls won't catch cold."
Defended the Apostolic See against anti-clericals in Venice, and the
political tenets of James I of England. Wrote exhaustive works against
heresies of the day. Took a position fundamentally democratic - authority
originates with God, is vested in the people, who entrust it to fit
rulers, a concept which brought him trouble with the kings of both England
and France. Spiritual father of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Helped Saint
Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order. Opposed
severe action against Galileo Galilei. Archbishop of Capua in 1602.
Preacher. Defender of the faith against Protestants, especially against
abuses in Germany and England. Revised Bible translations. Wrote two
catechisms. Theological advisor to Pope Clement VIII and Pope Paul V.
Taught catechism to children. Head of the Vatican library. Proposed as
Pope. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931.
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