Gregory Barbarigo was born at Venice on September 16, 1625. His father, desiring to give him experience of diplomatic negotiations obtained for him a post with the Venetian legation which went to Munster to draw up the Treaty of Westphalia. There Providence awaited him in the person of the papal legate Fabio Chigi, who became his friend and gave him spiritual guidance. On his return to Venice, haunted by the thought of giving himself to God, he once more applied to his spiritual director who guided him to the priesthood. Shortly afterwards, in 1657, Alexander VII consecrated him bishop of Bergamo; three years later, he created him cardinal and then transferred him in 1664 to the see of Padua. At Padua as at Bergamo, the holy bishop showed himself as a very model of pastors, endued with watchful zeal and boldness of initiative. He took special care in carrying out the reform, ordered by the Council of Trent, of the seminaries, watching over the studies and conduct of the future priests. He died at Padua on June 18, 1697 and was beatified in 1761. In 1960 John XXIII enrolled him among the saints of the universal Church.