Italian Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino
born Oct. 4, 1542, Monrepulciano, Tuscany
died Sept. 17, 1621, Rome; canonized 1930; feast day September 17
Italian cardinal and theologian.
He joined the Jesuit s in 1560, and after ordination in the Spanish Netherlands (1570) he began to teach theology. He was made a cardinal in 1599 and an archbishop in 1602. He took a prominent part in the first examination of Galileo 's writings; though somewhat sympathetic to Galileo, he thought it best to have the Copernican system declared "false and erroneous," which was done in 1616. He gave impartial attention to Protestant works and was regarded as an enlightened theologian. He died a pauper, having given all his funds to the poor. In 1931 he was named a Doctor of the Church.