Born in Priero, from which he took his surname. He was the first man to publish a work condemning Luther’s teaching and accusing him of heresy.

A Dominican theologian, he taught Thomistic theology at Pavia. Prierias began his service to Pope Julius II in 1511, and by 1515 he was appointed master of the sacred palace, close advisor to Pope Leo X.

In 1517, upon receiving Luther’s letter and Ninety-Five Theses forwarded from Albrecht Archbishop of Mainz, Pope Leo X asked Prierias to provide a theological critique. His conclusion: Luther was guilty of heresy on at least five points. The punishment for heresy was excommunication and/or death. Prierias’ accusation became the catalyst for the papal bull “Exsurge Domine,” which threatened Luther and his followers with excommunication.