Francesco Alidosi

Francesco Adiosi (1455 – 24 May 1511) was an Italian cardinal and condottiero.

Born at Castel del Rio, he was the third son of Giovanni Alidosi, lord of Castel del Rio. He went to France with Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future Pope Julius II, in 1494. Later, he became his secretary and main collaborator.

Alidosi was elected as bishop of Mileto in 1504, and then transferred to the see of Pavia on 26 March 1505. He occupied the see until his death in 1511.

Though many cardinals opposed the promotion, in 1505 Alidosi was created cardinal-priest of Santi Nereo e Achilleo, although opted for the title of S. Cecilia on 11 August 1506. The cardinal served as intermediary between Michelangelo Buonarroti and Pope Julius II and in 1506 signed in the name of the pope on the contract for the ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Later, he did the same for the statue of the pope in Bologna. He also served as Cardinal protector of England within the College. He was a protector of Desiderius Erasmus and patron of the arts.

Alidosi was known for his cruelty. After taking possession of the legation in Bologna on 27 June 1508, he ordered Alberto Castelli, Innocenzo Ringhieri, Sallustio Guidotti and Bartolomeo Magnani to be strangled. They were accused of "having supported a conspiracy to favor the Bentivoglio", and for having worked with the Venetians against the pope. More than thirty other persons, supporters of the Bentivoglio, were also executed. These actions unleashed a great indignation among the Bolognese. Cardinal Pietro Bembo described him with these words: "Faith meant nothing to him, nor religion, nor trustworthiness, nor shame, and there was nothing in him that was holy."

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