[1] He was a counselor of Philip II of Spain, who held the title of Duke of Milan.
[1] After the death of his wife, he moved to Rome, where his good friend Pope Pius IV made him a protonotary apostolic participantium.
[1] Upon the suggestion of Charles Borromeo, Pope Pius IV made Crasso a cardinal deacon in the consistory of March 12, 1565.
[1] He participated in the papal conclave of 1565-66 that elected Pope Pius V.[1] He received the red hat and the titular church of Santa Lucia in Septisolio (a deaconry raised to the status of title pro illa vice) on February 8, 1566.
[1] He was buried in the Franciscan church of Santa Maria della Pace in Milan.