Though few records exist detailing his family background or education, he is listed as Questore (commissioner) of the Pontifical Office of the Treasury in his home town during the reign of Pope Paul V.[1] Later Spinola moved to Rome where, under the guidance of Archbishop of Genoa, Antonmaria Sauli, he was appointed to a number of administrative church positions.
Upon his return to Rome in 1626, he was elevated to the office of cardinal, with the Basilica of San Clemente as his titular church.
[1] In 1629 Spinola was also given the title of Cardinal Priest of the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, holding both until he gave up that of San Clemente on 17 August 1637.
[1][2] He was transferred to the episcopal see of Luni-Sarzana on 26 April 1632, retaining the personal rank of archbishop.
He was again transferred, this time to the Diocese of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily as of 1 December 1636, still retaining the rank of archbishop.