In the consistory of 18 December 1461, Pope Pius II made him a cardinal priest while Rovarella was in his legation to Naples.[1] Upon his return to Rome on 26 January 1462, he was awarded the titular church of San Clemente, and then received the red hat on 30 January 1462.[1]
Cardinal Roverella returned to Rome on 23 August 1464, and participated in the papal conclave of 1464 that elected Pope Paul II.[1] On 8 January 1470 Paul II named him papal legate to Perugia.[1]
He returned to Rome on 1 August 1471 to participate in the papal conclave of 1471 that elected Pope Sixtus IV.[1] The new pope named him Apostolic legate to the March of Ancona and he left for his legation on 24 October 1471.[1] He returned to Rome in 1473.[1]