Pedro Sarmiento was born in Ribadeo, on the north-west coast of Spain, ca.
[1] He took orders as a deacon and was a perpetual beneficiary of the parish church of Fuentes de Duero.
[1] On October 26, 1524, he was transferred to the see of Badajoz, and then on July 3, 1525 to the see of Palencia, taking possession of that diocese on August 18, 1527.
[1] At the request of the emperor and the emperor's daughter Margaret of Parma (who married Pope Paul III's grandson Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma on November 4, 1538), the pope created Sarmiento a cardinal priest in the consistory of October 18, 1538.
[1] He received the red hat and the titular church of Santi Apostoli on November 15, 1538.