[1][2] Federico Cornaro was born in Venice, Italy and ordained a priest in the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.
[3] On 27 March 1560, he was appointed Bishop of Trogir by Pope Pius IV.
[1][3] On 15 January 1561, he was transferred by Pope Pius IV to the diocese of Bergamo.
[1][3] On 19 July 1577, he was appointed Bishop of Padua by Pope Gregory XIII.
[1][3] On 18 December 1585, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Sixtus V and installed on 15 January 1586 as Cardinal-Priest of Santo Stefano al Monte Celio.