Grandnephew of Pope Paul V, Chigi served the church as vice legate at Ferrara and as nuncio at Cologne (1639–51). The Chigi of Sienna were among the most illustrious and powerful of Italian families. When Innocent X died, Chigi, the candidate favoured by Spain, was elected pope after eighty days in the conclave, on 7 April 1655, taking the name of Alexander VII.. Nepotism. Pope Alexander VII Era: 1655-1667. Pope Alexander VII (13 February 1599 – 22 May 1667), born Fabio Chigi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 April 1655 to his death in 1667. (20 November 1493; manuscript) Treaty Between Spain and Portugal, Concluded at Alcacovas (4 September 1479; English translation) Tratado de Tordesilhas 365). 6943005, citing Santa Maria in Monserrato degli Spagnoli, Rome, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy ; Maintained by Find A Grave . AKA Rodrigo de Borja. The endeavours of the Chigi to enrich their family were too indulgently regarded by the Pope; but, ever pious and devout, he was far from having a share in the excesses of his luxury-loving nephews. Clement I, 88–97. Ecclesiastical approbation. Title: Pope Alexander VII; Creator: Gasparo Morone; Date Created: 17th century; a historical landmark in the Vatican renowned for its use of symmetry, commissioned by Pope Alexander VII to celebrate the feast of St. Corpus Christi "Burghers of Calais," 1886 Auguste Rodin, Displayed on … The decrees of some papal bulls were often tied to the circumstances of time and place, and may have been adjusted, attenuated, or abrogated by subsequent popes as situations changed. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. of the Popes", (German ed., Freiburg, 1895), III, 275-278; also Am. Contact information. Cardinal Hergenröther praises (Kirchengesch. Cath. Houses were levelled to make way for straighter streets and broad piazzas, the Collegio Romano. Details. Peterson, John Bertram. Pope Alexander VII - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia Alexander VI and his son Cesare Borgia emerged as two of the most feared and hated figures in Italy during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, leading some to believe Pope Alexander VI's cause of death was assassination. From: 'St. (See LOUIS XIV.) [For details of the conclave see Pastor, "Hist. Alexander VII, original name Fabio Chigi, (born Feb. 13, 1599, Siena, Republic of Florence—died May 22, 1667, Rome), pope from 1655 to 1667. (See JANSENIUS.) Alexander VII, who as adviser of Innocent X had vigorously advocated the condemnation, confirmed it in 1665 by the Bull "Ad Sacram" declaring that it applied to the aforesaid work of Jansen and to the very meaning intended by him; he also sent to France his famous "formulary", to be signed by all the clergy as a means of detecting and extirpating Jansenism. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. She was trapped by a complicated network of falsehoods into withdrawing her opposition and so on April 7th, after a conclave which had lasted for eighty days, Chigi became Pope Alexander VII. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Pope Alexander VI (1 Jan 1431–18 Aug 1503), Find a Grave Memorial no. Borgia sought to appear as a great Pope, despite his engagement in public lechery, simony, and other forms of corruption. He was successively inquisitor at Malta, vice-legate at Ferrara, and nuncio in Cologne (1639-51). Peterson, J.B. (1907). Alexander forbade his relatives to come to Rome. Pope Alexander VI. Secretary of state to Pope Innocent X in 1651 and made cardinal in 1652, Chigi was elected pope on April 7. During the conclave he had been bitterly hostile to Chigi, but was in the end compelled to accept his election as a compromise. During his reign occurred the conversion of Queen Christina of Sweden, who, after her abdication, came to reside in Rome, where on Christmas Day, 1655, she was confirmed by the Pope, in whom she found a generous friend and benefactor. For a year the hopes of Christendom seemed to be realized. Alexander VI, corrupt, wordly, and ambitious pope (1492–1503), whose neglect of the spiritual inheritance of the church contributed to the development of the Protestant Reformation. Alexander VII: Alexander Septimus: Fabio Chigi: Siena, Tuscany, Italy 20 June 1667 to 9 December 1669 Clement IX: Clemens Nonus: Giulio Rospigliosi Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy 29 April 1670 to 22 July 1676 Clement X: Clemens Decimus: Emilio Altieri Rome, Italy 21 September 1676 to 11/12 August 1689 Innocent XI Blessed Innocent Innocentius Undecimus Linus, 67–76? 2. Evaristus, 97–105. He kept his coffin in his bedroom, and a skull (carved by famed sculptor Bernini) on his writing table, because he was always aware that he would someday die. "Pope Alexander VII." He was also a patron of learning, modernized the Roman University, known as Sapienza, and enriched it with a magnificent library. Quart.Review, April, 1900.] The future Pope's father, Flavio Chigi, nephew of Pope Paul V, though not as prosperous as his forebears, gave his son a suitable training. His reign is memorable in the annals of moral theology for the condemnation of a number of erroneous propositions. In his twenty-seventh year, he obtained the doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology in the University of Sienna, and in December, 1626, he entered upon his ecclesiastical career at Rome. Peter, d. 64–67. Pope Alexander VII Gasparo Morone. 6. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-VII, The Catholic Encyclopedia - Pope Alexander VII. In 1662 the equally hostile Duc de Crequi was made ambassador. Omissions? (See THIRTY-YEARS WAR.) Transcription. A notorious reputation precedes her, and she is inextricably, … Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Alexander VI, given name Rodrigo Borgia, Roman Catholic Pope from 1492 until his death, is the most memorable of the corrupt and secular popes of the Renaissance. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. Vol. Updates? Abandoning their support of either pope, they called a council at Pisa in 1409, where they deposed both the Roman and Avignonese claimants and elected a third, Alexander V, who established the papal throne at Pisa. Sixtus I, 115–25? Pope Alexander VII. During this time period, a life as a Catholic priest was considered to be an excellent career move for young men regardless of their personal piety. . They were also sensitive, inspired, and highly accomplished poets. As the Spanish faction was well disposed towards Chigi there now remained only Donna Olympia to win over. Alexander I, 105–15. The pontificate of Alexander VII was shadowed by continual difficulties with the young and ill-advised Louis XIV of France, whose representatives were a constant source of annoyance to the Pope. Pope John XII (955 to 964) Attaining the title of pope at age 18, John XII was quickly deemed lazy … Cath. At a time when churchmen were being forced to realize the deplorable consequences, moral and financial, of nepotism, there was needed a pope who would rule without the aid of relatives. Fabio Chigi was born at Siena in 1599, the son of a distinguished family of bankers. Alexander VII, given name Fabio Chigi, Roman Catholic Pope from 1655 to 1667, was born at Siena on the 13th of February 1599. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Gerard Haffner. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The decree asserts the rights of Spain and Portugal to colonize, convert, and enslave. Alexander VII, POPE (FABIO CHIGI), b. at Sienna, February 13, 1599; elected April 7, 1655; d. at Rome, May 22, 1667.The Chigi of Sienna were among the most illustrious and powerful of Italian families. In The Rhetoric Fiction, Wayne Booth (1961, ed. The conclave believed he was strongly opposed to the nepotism then prevalent. This article intends to distinguish him from the many other men to have donned the crown and vestments of his title in the hope that the information will better stand out in the mind of its audience. Source(s): c2+: CB; b: The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, 19 Feb 1652 The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City, United States. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 7. The youth of Fabio was marked by continued ill-health, consequent upon an attack of apoplexy in infancy. Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads. He also made extensive additions to the Vatican Library. Grandnephew of Pope Paul V, Chigi served the church as vice legate at Ferrara and as nuncio at Cologne (1639–51). 5. Maria del Popolo, titular church of more than one of the Chigi cardinals, the Scala Regia, the Chair of St. Peter in the Vatican Basilica, and the great colonnade before that edifice bespeak alike the genius of Bernini and the munificence of his papal patron. But in the consistory of 24 April, 1656, influenced by those who feared the weakness of a papal court unsustained by ties of family interest, he proposed to bring his brother and nephews to assist him. 1. Corrections? Divided the New World for Portugal, Spain. The French prime minister, Cardinal Mazarin, had not forgiven the legate who resolutely opposed him at the conferences of Munster and Osnabrück, or the papal secretary of state who stood in the way of his anti-Roman policy. III,414) his moderation in the heated dogmatic controversies of the period. In this era, it wasn’t too scandalous for high-ranking church officials to … Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. . Nihil Obstat. [For details of the conclave see Pastor, "Hist. Due to poor health that began in infancy he was educated primarily at home, first by his mother and subsequently by tutors. Fabio Chigi, born at Sienna, 13 February, 1599; elected 7 April, 1655; died at Rome, 22 May, 1667.The Chigi of Sienna were among the most illustrious and powerful of Italian families.In the Rome of Renaissance times, an ancestor of Alexander VII was known as the "Magnificent". http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01294a.htm. Unable to attend school, he was taught first by his mother, and later by able tutors, and displayed remarkable precocity and love of reading. The princes, however, were tired of war and, despite his admonition, yielded to France and the Protestants. Pope Alexander VI (Latin: Alexander Sextus; 1431–1503), born Rodrigo Lanzol y Borja, was an Spanish cleric of the Roman Catholic Church and the 215th Pope from 1492 to 1503. Anacletus, 77–78. The inimical relations between Spain and Portugal occasioned by the latter's establishment of independence (1640) were a source of grave trials for Alexander, as for other popes before and after him. In 1639 he was promoted to the nunciature of Cologne; and in 1644 was made envoy extraordinary of Innocent X to the conference of Münster, in which post he energetically defended papal interests during the negotiations that led, in 1648, to the Peace of Westphalia. Pope Alexander VI August 11, 1492 to August 18, 1503. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. Borgia took the name "Pope Alexander VI", and his papacy began on 11 August 1492. The infamous Borgias were Spanish nobles who attained power and wealth in Spain and across the Italian peninsula during the Renaissance by securing high-ranking civic and ecclesiastical offices. March 1, 1907. By his high-handed abuse of the traditional right of asylum granted to ambassadorial precincts in Rome, he precipitated a quarrel between France and the papacy, which resulted in the Pope's temporary loss of Avignon and his forced acceptance of the humiliating treaty of Pisa in 1664. Borgia was forced to end his public relationship with Cattanei, who remained the matriarch of the family from her own residence in Rome. Emboldened by these triumphs, the French Jansenists, who recognized in Alexander an old enemy, became insolently assertive, professing that the propositions condemned in 1653 were not to be found in the "Augustinus" of Cornelius Jansen. In the Rome of Renaissance times, an ancestor of Alexander VII was known as the “Magnificent”. The latter owed much also to his mother, a woman of singular power and skill in the formation of youth. Through the support of Cardinal Alfonso Borgia, Rodrigo o… With their advent came a marked change in the manner of life of the pontiff. Alexander VII, who as adviser of Innocent X had vigorously advocated the condemnation, confirmed it in 1665 by the Bull "Ad Sacram" declaring that it applied to the aforesaid work of Jansen and to the very meaning intended by him; he also sent to France his famous "formulary", to be signed by all the clergy as a means of detecting and extirpating Jansenism. Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Pope Alexander VI was born Rodrigo Borgia in the Spanish town of Xàtiva, near Valencia, in 1431. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Gerard Haffner. Pope Alexander VI: The Papal bull Inter Caetera (4 May 1493; Translation) Columbus Manuscript; Christopher Columbus describes the new lands he has discovered. Inter Caetera – Division of the undiscovered world between Spain and Portugal – May 4, 1493 [Bull] Pope Alexander VII April 7, 1655 to May 22, 1667. He assisted the Venetians in combating the Turks who had gained a foothold in Crete, and obtained in return the restoration of the Jesuits, exiled from Venice since 1606. Alexander VII, original name Fabio Chigi, (born Feb. 13, 1599, Siena, Republic of Florence—died May 22, 1667, Rome), pope from 1655 to 1667. He sought help from Charles VIII of France (1483–1498), who was allied to Ludovico "Il Moro" (the Moor, so called because of his swarthy complexion) Sforza, the de factoDuke of Milan, who needed French support to legitimise his rule. Birthplace: Játiva, Spain Location of death: Rome, Italy Cause of death: unspecified Remains: Buried, . Pope Alexander VII Alexander VII was the 237th person to lead the Catholic Church and the seventh among them to take the papal name of Alexander. 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