Gasparo Contarini | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Belluno | |
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Belluno |
| Appointed | 23 October 1536 |
| Term ended | 24 August 1542 |
| Predecessor | Giovanni Battista Casale |
| Successor | Giulio Contarini |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 17 February 1538 |
| Created cardinal | 21 May 1535 by Pope Paul III |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 October 1483 |
| Died | 24 August 1542 (aged 55) Bologna |
| Coat of arms |  |
Gasparo Contarini (16 October 1483 – 24 August 1542) was an Italian diplomat, cardinal, and Bishop of Belluno. He advocated for dialogue with Protestants during the Reformation. Born in Venice, he served as the Republic's ambassador to Charles V during its war with him. He was the first to explain the time discrepancy in the Magellan–Elcano circumnavigation due to Earth's rotation. He participated in diplomatic efforts and reconciliations, and became a cardinal, even though he was initially a layman. Contarini was a leader in the reform movement within the Roman Catholic Church. He played a role in the papal approval of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He was also involved in attempts to restore religious unity in Germany.
Contarini's work, De magistratibus et republica venetorum, praised the Venetian government system for its harmony, fairness, and stability. He described the electoral process, particularly the lottery system for choosing officials, emphasizing fairness and equality. Contarini's depiction of the Doge, Venice's leader, highlighted the balance between symbolic monarchy and the power of civic institutions. He portrayed the Doge as both a regal figure and a representative of the city's republican governance. Contarini's writings aimed to glorify the republican nature of Venice while showcasing its ceremonial and symbolic elements.