 Sorzano was a long-standing friend of Bembo, ever since their days when Sorzano was a student in Padua and Bembo was resident there.When Bembo died in Rome on 19 January 1547, Sorzano succeeded to the bishopric.In Rome Sorzano was acquainted not only with Cardinal Bembo, but also with Cardinal Reginald Pole and Vittoria Colonna, members of the circle of "spirituali" at Viterbo.