Background
Alvarus was born at Salnés, Galicia.
Alvarus was born at Salnés, Galicia.
He is said to have been a pupil of Duns Scotus and to have been tutor to the children of Don Pedro, Regent of Portugal. Certain it is that he became penitentiary to Pope John XXII at Avignon, that he enjoyed much favour with this pontiff, and was employed by him to refute the claims of the antipope Pietro Rainalducci of Corbario. In 1333 Alvarus became titular Bishop of Coron in Achaia, and two years later was appointed to the See of Sylves in Portugal.
He also served as Apostolic nuncio in Portugal, but was not created cardinal, as some writers have asserted.
He died in Seville, where he was buried in the Monastery of Saint Clare.