His father was an illegitimate son of King Ferdinand II of Aragon, while his mother was Ana de Gurrea.

Through his grandfather he was first-half cousins with Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor his wife Isabella of Portugal, Mary I of England, John III of Portugal and Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.

Although he was meant to pursue a military career, he chose to enter the Cistercian Monastery of Piedra.

On 21 May 1539, the King made him Archbishop of Zaragoza, a position previously held by his father and elder brother Juan.

He was especially interested in La Seo Cathedral, where he had two chapels built on his own expense, on the condition that he and his mother are interred there together.