Giustiniani (Di Moniglia), Paolo

Giustiniani (Di Moniglia), Paolo an Italian prelate and commentator, was born at Genoa in 1444. He was the son of Pietro Pellegro Giustiniani, ambassador to the duke of Milan. At the age of nineteen years Paolo entered the order of Minorite preachers.. Some years later he was made doctor of theology, and elected prior of the convent of St. Dominic, at Genoa. In 1484 he was regent of the studies of his order at Perugia. When, at the death of Sixtus IV, the Genoese were expelled from the States of the Church, Giustiniani returned to his native country and devoted himself to preaching. In 1486 he was elected provincial of Lombardy, and in 1489 Innocent VIII chose him as master of the sacred palace. This pontiff confided to him several important missions, and in 1494 appointed him inquisitor-general of all the Genoese possessions. In 1498 Alexander VI made him apostolic commissary, and authorized him, with the governor of Rome, to examine a large number of Christians accused of heresy. In this he distinguished himself by the severity of his judgments. He was one of the judges who, in September 1498, condemned Pietro d' Aranda, bishop of Calaharra, and steward of the pope, to perpetual imprisonment as guilty of Judaism and other errors. He was recompensed for his zeal by the gift of the bishopric of Scio, and being sent as legate to Hungary. He died at Buda in 1502, leaving commentaries upon some of the books of the Bible. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.