CAPRANICA, DOMENICO AND ANGELO

Brothers, notable in the ecclesiastical life of the 15th century.

Domenico, humanist and cardinal; b. Capranica (near Palestrina), Italy, May 31, 1400; d. Rome, Aug. 14, 1458. After being educated at Padua and Bologna, he entered papal service, where he won the admiration of poggio and other humanists. martin v created him bishop of Fermo (1425) and cardinal (1426; published November 1430). He failed to receive his hat before Martin's death. Excluded from the conclave, he was driven from Rome to plead his cause before the Council of basel. eugene iv recognized him as cardinal (1434). His intelligence, integrity, and wholehearted service made him the confidant of nicholas v, who appointed him grand penitentiary; he was also a stern critic of the nepotism of callistus iii. His zeal and generosity found expression in the foundation (1458) of the Collegio Capranicense for poor scholars in theology and Canon Law.

Angelo, bishop and cardinal; b. Capranica, c. 1400;d. Rome, July 3, 1478. Educated in philosophy and law, he was appointed archbishop of Siponto-Manfredonia (1438) and bishop of Ascoli (1447). He played a significant role in the canonization of john capistran. He was appointed bishop of Rieti in 1450. pius ii made him governor at Bologna (1458), where he displayed both personal integrity and ability as an administrator and diplomat. Created cardinal (1460), he labored unceasingly for the revival of the religious life and the improvement of clerical education.

Bibliography: j. toussaint, Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques 11:932–941. r. mols, ibid., 11:928–932. j. wodka, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche (Freiburg 1957–65) 2:930, recent literature.

[j. g. rowe]