Algerio was born in Nola, and was a civil law student at the University of Padua, where his Anabaptist theological beliefs attracted the attention of the Roman Inquisition.
[2] At his trial, he wore his academic hat and gown to remind the tribunal that, as a student, he had the right to freely express his ideas.
From the transcript of Pomponio Algerio at his trial: After refusing to conform to Church doctrine, he was sentenced to prison and commanded to reconsider his Lutheran beliefs.
Because Venetian authorities would not consent to an execution, Pope Paul IV sent officials to extradite Pomponio to Rome.
In Rome, on 21 August 1555, a monk from the brotherhood of St John the Beheaded visited Pomponio in his cell urging him to repent.