Born December 12, 1626 in Rome, Giovanni Francesco Ginetti was nephew of Cardinal Marzio Ginetti (1585 - 1681).
Under the reign of Pope Alexander VII he was appointed him Referendary of the Apostolic Signatura, later Sergeant Major of the Papal Army (1625 - 1635) and then Treasurer General of the Apostolic Chamber. He was also deputy governor of Castel Sant'Angelo.
Gianfrancesco Ginetti was created cardinal deacon in the consistory of September 1 1681 under pope Innocent XI , three weeks later on September 22 he received the deaconry of S. Maria della Scala in Rome. On January 12 1682 he opted for the deaconry of S.Angelo della Pescheria
On June 5 1684 Cardinal Gianfrancesco Ginetti was appointed archbishop of Fermo
He participated in the Conclaves of 1689 and 1691
Died of cholera in Rome, September 18 1691 and was buried in his family chapel in the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle, opposite to his uncle, Cardinal Marzio Ginetti.