Giovanni de Primis

De Primis was born in Messina, Italy.[1][2] (His surname may be rendered as de' Primi; De Prima; De Primo; De Primi; or De Prim; and he was often called Giovanni di Sicilia).[3] In 1422, he entered the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua.[1] The date of his ordination is uncertain.[1] In 1427, he served as definitor and scribe of his order[3] and was elected as abott of the monastery of Santa Paolo fuori le Mura in Rome where he served until 1434.[3] In 1439, he was named abbot of Santa Giustina.[3] He was seminal in securing the peace between Alfonso V of Aragon and René of Anjou and was recognized for his efforts on April 22, 1444, by Pope Eugenius IV who named him as apostolic nuncio to the Kingdom of Trinacria (Sicily).[1] On May 28, 1444, he founded the University of Catania.[3] On December 16, 1446, he was elevated to the cardinalate as Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina.[1] On February 3, 1447, he was named Administrator of Catania and on December 2, 1448, he was named as bishop of the diocese.[1][4] It is not certain if he ever received episcopal consecration or took possession of the diocese.[4]

He participated in the papal conclave of 1447 which elected Pope Nicholas V.[1] De Primis died in Naples on January 21, 1449 where he is buried at the Benedictine Cassinese church of Santa Severino.[1][3]