Jean Le Veneur

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Cardinal Jean Le Veneur (d. August 8, 1543) was born into a noble family, his father being baron of Tillières, Valquier and Homme. Many of his close relatives were involved in the Church: an uncle and a brother were Bishops, and a cousin on his mother's side eventually became a Cardinal himself.

Jean began his ecumenical career early in life. The first notable milestone was his election as Bishop of Lisieux on October 2, 1505; he remained in this position until August 18, 1539. He was also named abbot of Mont-Saint-Michel in 1524 and count of Tillières. As grand almoner of France (from 1526), he was involved in many church and government projects, notably introducing Jacques Cartier to king Francis I in 1532 before Cartier's first expedition to Canada.

Jean Le Veneur was made Cardinal on November 7, 1533, by Pope Clement VII in his fourth consistory, receiving the title of San Bartolomeo all'Isola. During his Cardinalate, he reorganized the statutes of the see of Paris and also revised Collège Mignon.

Jean Le Veneur died in Marle, Picardy, and was buried in the church of Saint André d'Appeville.