Alessandro Sforza

Alessandro Sforza (1534–1581) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal. Biography A member of the House of Sforza, Alessandro Sforza was born in Rome in 1534, the son of Bosio II Sforza, count of Santa Fiora e Cotignola, and his wife Costanza Farnese, who was the natural and legitimized daughter of Pope Paul III. His brother Guido Ascanio Sforza di Santa Fiora also became a cardinal. He was the uncle of Cardinal Francesco Sforza. In June 1542 he became a scriptor of apostolic letters. He completed his training at the Gymnasium of Perugia, studying letters and probably also civil and canon law, and gained the academic title of Magister. Early in his ecclesiastical career, he became a papal chaplain.Through his older brother's influence, Allessandro was able to purchase a post in the Apostolic Camera. He became a canon of St. Peter's Basilica on 18 April 1554.