St. Robert Bellarmine

St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was an Italian Jesuit, Cardinal, and Doctor of the Church. Born in Montepulciano, Tuscany, he taught theology at the University of Leuven and at the Roman College (now the Gregorian University). His De Controversiis became the standard Catholic manual on the controversies with Protestantism. Created cardinal in 1599, he served as Archbishop of Capua from 1602 to 1605. In 1616 he summoned Galileo on Paul V's orders to notify him of the Index decree condemning Copernican doctrine. He died in Rome on September 17, 1621, and his relics are enshrined in the Church of Sant'Ignazio. Canonized by Pius XI in 1930 and declared a Doctor of the Church. Patron of catechists and canon lawyers.