BORROMEO CHARLES: (1538-1584) Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Milan 1564-84 and was a leading figure of the Counter-Reformation. Borromeo was canonized as a saint by Pope Paul V in 1610. A rare L.S., as Cardinal Secretary of State, one page, 4to, Rome, 28^th July 1563, to Sebastian Atracino, in Italian. Borromeo writes in response to a letter from the vice-legate of Pope Pius IV, with whom he had interceded on behalf of a lady, Donna Bartolomea da Bettona, stating, in part, 'S[ua] S[anti]ta ta m'ha commesso ch'io vi dica, che voi non v'intromettiate ne procediate piu.....in tal causa certificando la detta Donna che se verra, o mandera qua, non se le manchera di celere et espedita giustitia' (Translation: 'Your Holiness has commanded me to tell you that you are not to interfere or proceed further….in this case, certifying the said lady that if she comes, or is sent here, she will not fail to receive quick and expedient justice'). With integral address leaf bearing a blind embossed paper seal. Some light overall staining and minor age wear, about VG

Sebastian Atracino (c.1515-1563) Italian jurist who served as fiscal of the Holy Office from October 1557 to March 1560.

In 1562-63 Borromeo played a decisive role in organising the third and final session of the Council of Trent, which had opened in 1545, and made a large contribution to the Tridentine Catechism.