Giovanni Colonna (1295, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy – 3 July 1348, Avignon, France) was a Roman Catholic cardinal during the Avignon papacy and was a scion of the famous Colonna family that played an important role in Italian history.
He was appointed Cardinal by Pope John XXII during the consistory of 18 December 1327 and granted the diaconate of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria.
During the conclave of 1342, he was head of the Italian cardinals who wanted the seat of the papacy to return to Rome.
He persuaded Pope Clement VI to send several Franciscan friars to preach the Gospel in Armenia.
The Flemish music theorist Ludovicus Sanctus, who was also a good friend of Petrarch, was employed by him as magister in musica.