Nicolò Rusca was an Italian priest born in 1563 in Bedano who served the Diocese of Como. After completing his theological studies in Milan, he was ordained in 1587 and served as the Archpriest of Sondrio. During his ministry, he worked to uphold the decisions of the Council of Trent and addressed the growing influence of Protestantism. His life ended in 1618 in Thusis after he was arrested under false accusations of violence against Protestant ministers and subsequently died following several days of torture.