Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli Albertoni
Encyclopedia
Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli Albertoni (8 June 1623 - 29 June 1698) was an Italian
Catholic
Cardinal
and Cardinal-Nephew
to Pope Clement X
.
, the eldest of two sons to Antonio Paluzzi degli Albertoni (second Marquis
of Rasina) and Laura Carpegna. He studied at the University of Perugia
and earned a doctorate
of law
. Thereafter he became a cleric of the Apostolic Chamber during the final part of the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII
and during the pontificate of Pope Innocent X
. He became Auditor-General of the Apostolic Chamber during the pontificate of Pope Alexander VII
.
In 1664 Altieri was elevated to Cardinal in pectore
by Pope Alexander VII
. His elevation to cardinal was published in 1666 and he was made Cardinal-Priest of Santi Apostoli
. The following month he was elected Bishop of Montefiascone e Corneto
and consecrated by his mother's relative, Cardinal Ulderico Carpegna
. He participated in the conclave of 1667
which elected Pope Clement IX
.
Over the following few years he became a close advisor to Cardinal Emilio Altieri. At the papal conclave of 1669–1670
Altieri, was elected as Pope Clement X
. On the day of his election he adopted Paluzzo and he changed his name to Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli Albertoni in honour of his new adoptive uncle. Thereafter he became Clement's Cardinal-Nephew
. In May 1670 he was appointed Bishop of Ravenna
and papal legate
in Avignon
.
In 1671 Altieri was named Prefect of the Sacred Consulta Propaganda Fide
(a position he held until his death) and was made Governor of Tivoli
. That same year he was appointed Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church and Crown-cardinal
of Ireland
(he held both positions until 1698).
Between 1673 and 1677 he was made legate
in Urbino
and during that period he was made Secretary of the Apostolic Briefs, resigned the diocese of Ravenna and, when Pope Clement died, he participated in the conclave of 1676
which elected Pope Innocent XI
.
Altieri was appointed, or appointed himself, to so many positions he was accused by his contemporaries of megalomania
. Though he had established a well-regarded ecclesiastic career, his limited diplomatic experience caused problems for the Pope and for the Holy See
, even after Clement's death.
Between 1678 and 1679 he was also appointed Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals
(he was already Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church).
He was appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Crisogono
(1681), Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Trastevere (1684) and then Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina
in 1689 before participating in the conclave of 1689
which elected Pope Alexander VIII
. He participated in the conclave of 1691
which elected Pope Innocent XII
and was thereafter appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina
.
He was made Archpriest of the Patriarchal Lateran Basilica
in 1693 and Bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina and Sub-Dean of the College of Cardinals
in January of 1698.
Six months later, on 29 June 1698, he died suddenly at his dinner table. He was buried in the chapel of San Giovanni Battista
, that he had commissioned at the church.
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
and Cardinal-Nephew
Cardinal-nephew
A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
to Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X , born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, was Pope from 29 April 1670 to 22 July 1676.-Early life:Emilio Altieri was born in Rome, the son of Lorenzo Altieri and Victoria Delphini, a Venetian lady...
.
Biography
Altieri was born Paluzzo Paluzzi degli Albertoni in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, the eldest of two sons to Antonio Paluzzi degli Albertoni (second Marquis
Marquis
Marquis is a French and Scottish title of nobility. The English equivalent is Marquess, while in German, it is Markgraf.It may also refer to:Persons:...
of Rasina) and Laura Carpegna. He studied at the University of Perugia
University of Perugia
University of Perugia is a public-owned university based in Perugia, Italy. It was founded in 1308, as attested by the Bull issued by Pope Clement V certifying the birth of the Studium Generale....
and earned a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
of law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
. Thereafter he became a cleric of the Apostolic Chamber during the final part of the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
and during the pontificate of Pope Innocent X
Pope Innocent X
Pope Innocent X , born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj , was Pope from 1644 to 1655. Born in Rome of a family from Gubbio in Umbria who had come to Rome during the pontificate of Pope Innocent IX, he graduated from the Collegio Romano and followed a conventional cursus honorum, following his uncle...
. He became Auditor-General of the Apostolic Chamber during the pontificate of Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from...
.
In 1664 Altieri was elevated to Cardinal in pectore
In pectore
In pectore is a term used in the Catholic Church to refer to appointments to the College of Cardinals by the Pope when the name of the newly appointed cardinal is not publicly revealed...
by Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII
Pope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from...
. His elevation to cardinal was published in 1666 and he was made Cardinal-Priest of Santi Apostoli
Santi Apostoli
The Church of the Twelve Holy Apostles is a 6th century Roman Catholic parish and titular church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy, dedicated originally to St. James and St. Philip and later to all Apostles...
. The following month he was elected Bishop of Montefiascone e Corneto
Diocese of Montefiascone
The diocese of Montefiascone is a Catholic ecclesiastical territory in Italy. It was created from the diocese of Bagnorea in 1396, and in 1986 was united into the diocese of Viterbo, Acquapendente, Bagnoregio, Montefiascone, Tuscania e San Martino al Monte Cimino.-History:Its first bishop was the...
and consecrated by his mother's relative, Cardinal Ulderico Carpegna
Ulderico Carpegna
Ulderico Carpegna was an Italian jurist and Cardinal.Born at Scavolino, he was from a family of the Roman nobility, connected with the Montefeltro family....
. He participated in the conclave of 1667
Papal conclave, 1667
The Papal conclave, 1667 to determine the successor to the departed Pope Alexander VII resulted in the election of cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi, who took the name of Clement IX.-Divisions among cardinals:...
which elected Pope Clement IX
Pope Clement IX
Pope Clement IX , born Giulio Rospigliosi, was Pope from 1667 to 1669.-Early life:Born Giulio Rospigliosi to a noble family of Pistoia, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, he was a pupil of the Jesuits. After receiving his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Pisa, he taught theology there...
.
Over the following few years he became a close advisor to Cardinal Emilio Altieri. At the papal conclave of 1669–1670
Papal conclave, 1669–1670
The papal conclave from December 20, 1669 to April 29, 1670 elected Cardinal Emilio Altieri as Pope Clement X.- Cardinal electors :-Absentee cardinals:...
Altieri, was elected as Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X , born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, was Pope from 29 April 1670 to 22 July 1676.-Early life:Emilio Altieri was born in Rome, the son of Lorenzo Altieri and Victoria Delphini, a Venetian lady...
. On the day of his election he adopted Paluzzo and he changed his name to Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli Albertoni in honour of his new adoptive uncle. Thereafter he became Clement's Cardinal-Nephew
Cardinal-nephew
A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
. In May 1670 he was appointed Bishop of Ravenna
Bishop of Ravenna
This page is a list of Roman Catholic bishops and archbishops of Ravenna, and of the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia. The earlier ones were frequently tied to the Exarchate of Ravenna. -Diocese of Ravenna :*St. Apollinare, legendarily to 79, historically in the era of Septimius Severus*St...
and papal legate
Papal legate
A papal legate – from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus – is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations, or to some part of the Catholic Church. He is empowered on matters of Catholic Faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters....
in Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
.
In 1671 Altieri was named Prefect of the Sacred Consulta Propaganda Fide
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for missionary work and related activities...
(a position he held until his death) and was made Governor of Tivoli
Tivoli, Italy
Tivoli , the classical Tibur, is an ancient Italian town in Lazio, about 30 km east-north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills...
. That same year he was appointed Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church and Crown-cardinal
Crown-cardinal
A crown-cardinal was a cardinal protector of a Catholic nation, nominated or funded by a Catholic monarch to serve as their representative within the College of Cardinals and, if applicable, exercise the jus exclusivae...
of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(he held both positions until 1698).
Between 1673 and 1677 he was made legate
Papal legate
A papal legate – from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus – is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations, or to some part of the Catholic Church. He is empowered on matters of Catholic Faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters....
in Urbino
Urbino
Urbino is a walled city in the Marche region of Italy, south-west of Pesaro, a World Heritage Site notable for a remarkable historical legacy of independent Renaissance culture, especially under the patronage of Federico da Montefeltro, duke of Urbino from 1444 to 1482...
and during that period he was made Secretary of the Apostolic Briefs, resigned the diocese of Ravenna and, when Pope Clement died, he participated in the conclave of 1676
Papal conclave, 1676
The Papal Conclave of 1676 was convened after the death of Pope Clement X and lasted from 2 August until 21 September of 1676. It led to the election of Benedetto Odescalchi as Pope Innocent XI.-History:...
which elected Pope Innocent XI
Pope Innocent XI
Blessed Pope Innocent XI , born Benedetto Odescalchi, was Pope from 1676 to 1689.-Early life:Benedetto Odescalchi was born at Como in 1611 , the son of a Como nobleman, Livio Odescalchi, and Paola Castelli Giovanelli from Gandino...
.
Altieri was appointed, or appointed himself, to so many positions he was accused by his contemporaries of megalomania
Megalomania
Megalomania is a psycho-pathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of power, relevance, or omnipotence. 'Megalomania is characterized by an inflated sense of self-esteem and overestimation by persons of their powers and beliefs'...
. Though he had established a well-regarded ecclesiastic career, his limited diplomatic experience caused problems for the Pope and for the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, even after Clement's death.
Between 1678 and 1679 he was also appointed Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals
Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals
The Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals was the treasurer of that body.He administered all property, fees, funds and revenue belonging to the College of Cardinals, celebrated the requiem Mass for a deceased cardinal and was charged with the registry of the Acta Consistoralia.It is...
(he was already Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church).
He was appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Crisogono
San Crisogono
San Crisogono is a church in Rome dedicated to the martyr Saint Chrysogonus.-History:The church was one of the tituli, the first parish churches of Rome...
(1681), Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Trastevere (1684) and then Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina
Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto
The Diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto a suburbicarian see of the Holy Roman Church and a diocese of the Catholic Church in Italy. Since 1842 the Cardinal Bishop of Sabina also bears the title of Abbot of Farfa...
in 1689 before participating in the conclave of 1689
Papal conclave, 1689
The Papal Conclave of 1689 was convened after the death of Pope Innocent XI. It led to the election of Pietro Vito Ottoboni as Pope Alexander VIII.-History:...
which elected Pope Alexander VIII
Pope Alexander VIII
Pope Alexander VIII , born Pietro Vito Ottoboni, was Pope from 1689 to 1691.-Early life:Pietro Ottoboni was born of a noble Venetian family, and was the son of Marco Ottoboni, chancellor of the Republic of Venice...
. He participated in the conclave of 1691
Papal conclave, 1691
The papal conclave of 1691 was convened on the death of pope Alexander VIII. It lasted for five months, from February 12 to July 12, 1691, making it the longest conclave of the 17th century. It finally elected pope Innocent XII.- External links :* * * *...
which elected Pope Innocent XII
Pope Innocent XII
Pope Innocent XII , born Antonio Pignatelli, was Pope from 1691 to 1700.-Biography:He was born in Spinazzola to one of the most aristocratic families of the Kingdom of Naples, which included many Viceroys, and ministers to the crown, and was educated at the Jesuit college in Rome.In his twentieth...
and was thereafter appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina
Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Palestrina
thumb|250 px|The Cathedral of Sant'Agapito in Palestrina.The Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Palestrina, , is a Roman Catholic suburbicarian diocese centered on the comune of Palestrina in Italy....
.
He was made Archpriest of the Patriarchal Lateran Basilica
Basilica of St. John Lateran
The Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran , commonly known as St. John Lateran's Archbasilica and St. John Lateran's Basilica, is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope...
in 1693 and Bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina and Sub-Dean of the College of Cardinals
Dean of the College of Cardinals
The Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals is the president of the College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church, and as such always holds the rank of Cardinal Bishop. The Dean is not necessarily the longest-serving member of the whole College...
in January of 1698.
Six months later, on 29 June 1698, he died suddenly at his dinner table. He was buried in the chapel of San Giovanni Battista
San Giovanni Battista de Rossi (church)
S Giovanni Battista de Rossi is a church in Rome. It is dedicated to Saint John Baptist de Rossi .Saint John Baptist was canonized in the year 1881 by Pope Leo XIII. This church was commissioned by Pope Pius XII in 1940 with the services of the architect Tullio Rossi...
, that he had commissioned at the church.