Ludovico de Torres (1552 – 8 July 1609) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Cardinal-Priest of San Pancrazio (1606-1609) and Archbishop of Monreale (1588-1609).^[1][2][3][4]

Biography

Ludovico de Torres was born in Rome in 1552.^[5] His family was originally from Málaga, Spain.^[4] He studied law at the University of Perugia and then earned a doctorate from the University of Bologna in both canon and civil law.^[4] In 1572, he served as vicar general of the diocese of Monreale where his uncle was bishop; and then returned to Rome where he served as vicar of S. Lorenzo in Damaso, Canon of the patriarchal Liberian basilica, and Scrittore apostolico to the Curia.^[4] On 22 January 1588, he was appointed during the papacy of Pope Sixtus V as Archbishop of Monreale^[5] succeeding his uncle of the same name.^[4] On 31 January 1588, he was consecrated bishop at the church of S. Lorenzo in Damaso^[4] by Gabriele Paleotti, Archbishop of Bologna, with Silvio Savelli, Archbishop of Rossano, and José Esteve Juan, Bishop of Vieste, serving as co-consecrators.^[5] In the consistory of 11 September 1606, he was elevated by Pope Paul V to Cardinal-Priest and on 19 December 1606, received the title of San Pancrazio.^[5] On July 4, 1607, he was named librarian of the Holy Roman Church.^[4] He served as Archbishop of Monreale until his death on 8 Jul 1609.^[5] He is buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Monreale.^[4] He was the uncle of Cardinal Cosimo de Torres, who later served as Archbishop of Monreale (1634-1642);^[4] and was a close friend of poet Torquato Tasso.^[4]

Episcopal succession

While bishop, he was the principal consecrator of:^[5]

and the principal co-consecrator of:^[5]