Robert Bellarmine was born on October 4th, 1542 in Montepulciano, Tuscany. Robert's family consisted of his parents Vincenzo and Cinthia Bellarmine. Robert was brought up at the newly founded Jesuit college in his native town. Robert entered the Society of Jesus on September 20th 1560, he was admitted to his first vows on the following day. During the next three years of Roberts life he studied philosophy at the Roman College. After he taught the humanities first at Florence, then at Mondovi. In 1567 Robert began his theology at Padua. In 1569 he was sent to finish his theology at Louvain. Robert obtained a fuller aquaintance with the prevailing heresies at Padua. Soon he was ordained at Padua and quickly maintained a reputation both as a professor and a preacher. In 1576 Robert was recalled to Italy and entrusted with the Chair of Controversies recently founded at the Roman College. This task was the earliest attempt to systemize the various controversies of the time.
In 1588 Robert was made Spiritual Father to the Roman College. Shortly after in 1590 he went with cardinal Gaetano as a theologian to the embassy. Robert sat on the final commission for the revision of the Vulgate text. His revision had been desired by the Council of Trent, and popes had labored over the task, and had almost brought it to completion.
In 1592 Robert was made Rector of the Roman College. Clement VIII recalled him to Rome and made Robert his own theologian. Later in 1599 Clement VIII made him the cardinal priest. In 1605 Clement VIII died, and was succeeded by Leo XI who reigned only twenty-six days, and then by Paul V. Robert was then made a member of the Holy Office and of other congregations. He basically was the chief advisor of the theological department in the administration.
Robert was always interested in the discoveries of Galileo. Bellarmines spirit of prayer, his spirit of humility and poverty, and his devotedness to work, earned him the trust and respect of everyone.
Several portrait busts that Bernini executed during this period, including that of Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (1623-24), show a new awareness of the relationship between head and body and display an ability to depict fleeting facial expressions with acute realism. ...
