Gerardo Bianchi

Gerardo Bianchi (1220/1225 – March 1, 1302) was an Italian churchman and papal diplomat, an important figure of the War of the Sicilian Vespers.

He began his career in the Roman Curia as a chaplain of Pope Innocent IV (1243-1254) and scriptor in the chancellery (attested in 1245).

[5] On November 29, the Pope revised his instructions to the three Legates, in accordance with the wishes of the two kings, so that they would hold their meetings in Gascony.

[6] On June 9, 1279, Pope Nicholas threatened King Alfonso with severe penalties for not cooperating with the peace process.

[7] Pope Nicholas III (Orsini) died on August 22, 1280, and Cardinal Bianchi participated in the Conclave which was held in Viterbo, beginning in September, 1280.

[8] Nicholas III was succeeded by the French cardinal Simon de Brion on February 22, 1281, who took the name Martin IV.

[23] The dispatch of Cardinal Gerardo was announced to King Philip IV in a letter of Pope Nicholas dated March 23, 1290.

[30] On October 3, 1298, the Pope granted to Cardinal Gerardo's monastery, which did not yet have any monks or a Prior, the Priory of S. Leonardo near Parma.

[32] The Cardinal was again pressed into service, being appointed Legate in Sicily with full powers by Boniface VIII on July 20, 1299.

[35] On February 1, 1300, Cardinal Gerardo appears as Legate again, to whom the Pope sends a letter of complaint, that Philip, Prince of Taranto, the younger son of Charles II of Naples, had crossed the Straits of Messana, in violation of a papal prohibition.