Rocca, Angiolo

Rocca, Angiolo, a learned Italian prelate, was born in Rocca Contrada, Naples, in 1545. In 1552 he took the habit among the Hermits of St. Augustine, and afterwards continued his studies at Rome, Venice, Perugia, and Padua, receiving the title of doctor of divinity at the University of Padua in September 1577. In 1579, Fivizani, vicargeneral of the Augustinians, invited him to become his secretary. Pope Sixtus V placed him in the Vatican in 1585, and confided to his superintendence those editions of the Bible, the councils, and the fathers issued from the apostolical press during his pontificate. In 1595 Clement VIII made him apostolical sacristan and titular bishop of Tagaste, in Numidia. He presented his large and excellent library to the Augustinian monastery at Rome (Oct. 23, 1614), on condition that it should always be open to the public. He died April 8, 1620. Among his works are, Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana: — Bibliotheca Theologica et Scripturalis: — Notes in Novum Testamentum: — De Patientia: — De Cometis: — Observationes in VI Libros Elegantiarum, etc.: and Observationes de Lingua Latina, etc. (1719, printed together, 2 vols. fol.).