Papal conclave, 1644
Encyclopedia
Papal conclave
A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, who then becomes the Pope during a period of vacancy in the papal office. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church...
of 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...
s called on the death 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...
. It lasted from 9 August to 15 September 1644 and eventually chose Giovanni Battista Pamphili, who took office as 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...
.
Urban's influence
The reign of Pope Urban VIIIPope 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...
(which included the costly First War of Castro
Wars of Castro
The Wars of Castro is a term referring to a series of events in the mid-17th century revolving around the ancient city of Castro , which eventually resulted in the city's destruction on 2 September 1649...
) had been financially troubling for Rome
Rome
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...
and for the Church
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...
and the ongoing conflict for control of the Church between Spain
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
and France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
and the ongoing Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
meant many cardinals arrived at the conclave seeking a compromise which would bring stability to the Church.
But Urban's reign had also subjected the Church to his notorious nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
. He had appointed three family members as Cardinals; his brother Antonio Marcello Barberini
Antonio Marcello Barberini
Antonio Marcello Barberini was an Italian cardinal and the younger brother of Maffeo Barberini, later Pope Urban VIII. He is sometimes referred to as Antonio the Elder to distinguish him from his nephew Antonio Barberini.Born Marcello Barberini in Florence into the Barberini family, he entered the...
and his two nephews, Francesco Barberini
Francesco Barberini (seniore)
Francesco Barberini was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. The nephew of Pope Urban VIII , he benefited immensely from the nepotism practiced by his uncle...
and Antonio Barberini
Antonio Barberini
Antonio Barberini was an Italian Catholic cardinal, Archbishop of Reims, military leader, patron of the arts and a prominent member of the House of Barberini. As one of the cardinal-nephews of Pope Urban VIII and a supporter of France, he played a significant role at a number of the papal...
. His nephews, especially, were keen to retain the wealth, power and property they had amassed during their uncle's reign and both sought to move the conclave in their favour.
They started by hiring, it was rumoured, bands of brigands
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
and mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
to roam the streets of the city causing trouble, creating noise and generally making it uncomfortable for the cardinals inside the conclave.
Split conclave
Somewhat disingenuously, Francesco sided with the cardinals loyal to Spain. Urban VIII had been a strong francophileFrancophile
Is a person with a positive predisposition or interest toward the government, culture, history, or people of France. This could include France itself and its history, the French language, French cuisine, literature, etc...
and the mood of the conclave was with Spain from the beginning. Antonio, at the direction of Cardinal Jules Mazarin, sided with the cardinals loyal to France and was supported with funding from the French with which he was to buy wavering votes.
So rather than working for consensus, the two brothers split the conclave. When voting started on 29 August, Antonio Barberini put Giulio Cesare Sacchetti
Giulio Cesare Sacchetti
thumb|Cardinal Giulio Cesare Sacchetti, Pietro da Cortona, 1626Giulio Cesare Sacchetti was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and was twice unsuccessfully nominated by France for election as Pope.-Early life:...
forward as a candidate but without great success. The following day, Francesco Barberini nominated Giovanni Battista Pamphili with much the same result.
At a stand off, the brothers then sought to win each other over. Antonio Barberini had been moving about the conclave offer all form of incentives to the various cardinals, from official positions to cash. So Antonio offered a package of incentives to Spanish supporters in return for their vote in favour of Sacchetti. The deal was to be brokered by the recently arrived French Ambassador and would likely have been concluded had the ambassador not tried to slip advantageous clauses into the agreement when it came time for the brothers to agree. The new agreement signed 20,000 doubloons over to the ambassador and his family in return for acting as agent between the two parties. Antonio furiously withdrew the offer and broke off negotiations.
Pamphili elected
Though it's likely he didn't have to, Francesco Barberini countered with a generous offer from the Spanish delegationDelegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
which included a promise of protection for the Barberini
Barberini
The Barberini are a family of the Italian nobility that rose to prominence in 17th century Rome. Their influence peaked with the election of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini to the papal throne in 1623, as Pope Urban VIII...
(including Francesco himself) from King Philip IV of Spain
Philip IV of Spain
Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...
. Antonio and his delegation agreed and the following morning, on 15 September 1644, Pamphili was elected and took the papal throne as 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...
.
French reaction
Cardinal Mazarin had a back-up plan to exercise France's jus exclusivae against Pamphili's nomination and left for Rome but arrived too late to issue the veto. As it was, Spain's Cardinal Gil de AlbornozCardinal Gil de Albornoz
thumb|Cardinal Gil de AlbornozGil de Albornoz was a Spanish Catholic Cardinal who led the Spanish delegation within the College of Cardinals at the Papal Conclave of 1644.-Biography:...
presented a veto against Sacchetti, putting the result beyond doubt.
Mazarin was furious and blamed the ambassador who in turn claimed Antonio Barberini had included the clause is his own agreement as an excuse for turning on the French and siding with the Spanish. Mazarin, keen to remain on good terms with the Barberini, recalled the ambassador and continued to support the Barberini. Mazarin later provided shelter for the Barberini nephews (including the cardinals' brother, Taddeo Barberini
Taddeo Barberini
Taddeo Barberini was an Italian nobleman of the House of Barberini who became Prince of Palestrina and Gonfalonier of the Church; commander of the Papal Army. He was a nephew of Pope Urban VIII and brother of Cardinals Francesco Barberini and Antonio Barberini...
) after Innocent X had them investigated and exiled to Paris.
Furious at the power Innocent's election gave to his already-powerful sister-in-law, Olimpia Maidalchini
Olimpia Maidalchini
Olimpia Maidalchini , also spelled Olympia and known as Donna Olimpia, was the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X .- Early life :...
, Cardinal Alessandro Bichi
Alessandro Bichi
Alessandro Bichi was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and papal nuncio to France.-Biography:Bichi was born in Siena in 1596, the son of Vincenzo Bichi and nephew of Cardinal Metello Bichi....
was said to have exclaimed, "We have just elected a female pope". Supporters of Bichi and the French delegation hung banners in churches calling her "Pope Olimpia I".
Participants
- Cardinal DeanDean of the College of CardinalsThe 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...
: Marcello Lante della RovereMarcello Lante della RovereMarcello Lante della Rovere was an Italian people Catholic Cardinal appointed Dean and Camerlengo of the College of Cardinals.-Family and early life:... - Sub-dean: Pier Paolo CrescenziPier Paolo CrescenziPier Paolo Crescenzi was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.Crescenzi was born in 1572, the son of Virgilio Crescenzi, Baron of Montorio, and Costanza, of the Marquises of Drago. He was the brother of artist Giovanni Battista Crescenzi...
- Giambattista Pamphili (Elected Pope Innocent XPope Innocent XPope 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...
)
|
Vincenzo Maculani Vincenzo Maculani was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and military architect.-Early life:Maculani was born Gaspare Maculani on 11 September 1578 at Fiorenzuola d'Arda... Francesco Peretti di Montalto Francesco Peretti di Montalto was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.Peretti was born to an Italian noble family. By birth he was to be the successor of his father; Prince of Venafro, Venetian patrician, Marquis of San Martino, Count of Celano and Baron of Pescina. But he was also a nephew of Cardinal... Giovanni Giacomo Panciroli Giovanni Giacomo Panciroli was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and Cardinal Secretary of State.Panciroli was born in 1587 in Rome and was educated there, receiving a doctorate utroque iure in 1605.... Fausto Poli Fausto Poli was a Roman Catholic prelate and Cardinal.-Biography:Born in Usigni in Umbria, as a young man he went to Rome and was soon noticed by Maffeo Barberini, a cleric of the Apostolic Chamber and a fellow Umbrian from nearby Spoleto, soon to become Pope under the name of Urban VIII... Lelio Falconieri Lelio Falconieri was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.-Family and early life:Falconieri was born in 1585 in Florence, the tenth of the thirteen children of Paolo Falconieri and his second wife Maddalena degli Albizzi. He was the brother of Don Orazio Falconieri who purchased the Villa Falconieri and... Gaspare Mattei thumb|Cardinal Gaspare MatteiGaspare Mattei was an Italian cardinal of the house of Mattei.-Life:Mattei was born in Rome, the eldest son of Mario Mattei, duke of Paganica and Prudenzia Cenci; he was a relative of Pope Paul V. He was educated at the Archgymnasium of Rome... (Left the conclave due to illness) Cesare Facchinetti Cesare Facchinetti was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.Facchinetti was born 17 September 1608 in Bologna. He was the son of Ludovico Facchinetti and Violante da Correggio... Girolamo Grimaldi-Cavalleroni Girolamo Grimaldi-Cavalleroni was an Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop of Aix.-Biography:Grimaldi was born in Genoa, the son of Giacomo Grimaldi, a senator of the Republic of Genoa, and his wife Girolama di Agostino de' Mari.He was sent to Rome for his education, and... Carlo Rossetti thumb|200 px|Carlo Rossetti after his return to Rome.Carlo Rossetti was an Italian Catholic Cardinal who went to London as a secret nuncio on behalf of Pope Urban VIII... Giambattista Altieri Giambattista Altieri was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.-Early life:Giambattista Altieri was born 20 June 1589 in Rome, the son of Lorenzo Altieri and Victoria Delphini, a Venetian lady... Mario Theodoli thumb|The roof of the Theodoli chapel in [[Santa Maria del Popolo]] the with [[fresco]]es by [[Giulio Mazzoni]].Mario Theodoli was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.... Francesco Angelo Rapaccioli thumb|Painting of Cardinal Rapaccioli by [[Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato]].Francesco Angelo Rapaccioli was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.Rapaccioli was born in 1608, the son of a modest family in Narni, Italy.... Francesco Adriano Ceva Francesco Adriano Ceva was a Catholic Cardinal from Savoy.Francesco Adriano Ceva was born in 1580 in Mondovì, Savoy to the House of Ceva; Marquises of Ceva... Angelo Giori Angelo Giori was an Italian cardinal.-Life:The son of Giovanni Francesco Giori and Polidora Polini, he came from humble origins. He began his studies at the Grammatica at Camerino and completed them at the Archiginnasio in Rome, where he graduated in civil and criminal canon law... Francesco Barberini (seniore) Francesco Barberini was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. The nephew of Pope Urban VIII , he benefited immensely from the nepotism practiced by his uncle... (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... 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... ) Marzio Ginetti Marzio Ginetti was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and Cardinal Vicar of Rome. He was the uncle of Giovanni Francesco Ginetti.... Antonio Barberini Antonio Barberini was an Italian Catholic cardinal, Archbishop of Reims, military leader, patron of the arts and a prominent member of the House of Barberini. As one of the cardinal-nephews of Pope Urban VIII and a supporter of France, he played a significant role at a number of the papal... (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... 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... ) Girolamo Colonna Girolamo Colonna was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and member of the noble Colonna family.-Biography:... Gian Giacomo Teodoro Trivulzio Gian Giacomo Teodoro Trivulzio was an Italian Cardinal from Milan, who held several high functions in service of the Spanish Crown.... Giulio Gabrielli Giulio Gabrielli was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. He is sometimes referred to as Giulio Gabrielli the Elder to distinguish him from Giulio Gabrielli the Younger.-Early life:... (Left the conclave due to illness) Vincenzo Costaguti Vincenzo Costaguti was an Italian Catholic Cardinal-Early life:Costaguti was born in 1612 in Rome to the Costaguti; Genoese nobility. He was the son of Prospero Costaguti and his first wife Paola Costa... Paolo Emilio Rondinini Paolo Emilio Rondinini, born in 1617 to Alessandro Rondinini and Felice Zacchia, was a grand-nephew on his mother's side of Cardinal Paolo Emilio Zacchia and grandson of Cardinal Laudivio Zacchia.-Earli Life and Education:... Achille d'Étampes de Valençay Achille d'Étampes de Valençay was a Knight of Malta.He was the brother of Jacques d'Étampes de Valençay, Léonore d'Étampes de Valençay, and Jean d'Étampes de Valençay.- References :... |
Absent cardinals
- François de la Rochefoucald
- Baltasar Moscoso y Sandoval
- Agustín Spínola
- Jules Raymond Mazarin
- Virginio OrsiniVirginio OrsiniGentile Virginio Orsini was an Italian condottiero and vassal of the papal throne and the Kingdom of Naples, mainly remembered as the powerful head of the Orsini family during its feud with Pope Alexander VI...
Sources
- S. Miranda: Papal Conclave, 1644.
- The Triple Crown: An Account of the Papal Conclaves by Valérie Pirie.
- Catholic Hierarchy: Conclave - 1644.
- Ave Papa/Ave Papabile: the Sacchetti family, their art patronage, and political aspirations by Lilian H. Zirpolo (2005).
- Mistress of the Vatican by Eleanor Herman.