Capisucchi, Paolo

Capisucchi, Paolo, an Italian prelate, was born at Rome in 1479. Pope Clement VII appointed him canon of the Vatican, then referendary of both signatures, auditor of the Rota, bishop of Nicastro, and vicargeneral. In 1528 the case of Henry VIII, king of England, who was seeking to obtain a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, was committed to the care of Capisucchi, who espoused the cause of Catherine, claiming that -Henry VIII had, by his conduct, laid himself open to censure. Pope Paul III employed Capisucchi advantageously in several important negotiations, especially during the troubles of Perugia and Avignon. Capisucchi succeeded in establishing peace and the papal authority. Paul III, in recognition of this, appointed him :vice-legate of Umbria. He died at Rome, Aug. 6,1539. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.