Francesco Maidalchini
Encyclopedia
Francesco Maidalchini was an Italian
Cardinal
of the Roman Catholic Church
.
, the son of Andrea Maidalchini and Pacifica Feliziani. His father was the brother of Olimpia Maidalchini
; sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X
.
In 1647, Maidalchini's counsin, Camillo Francesco Maria Pamphili
, resigned his post as Cardinal-Nephew
to marry and Innocent X required a new Cardinal Nephew. The pope destined for this task his sister-in-law's nephew, Francesco Maidalchini. Upon being elevated to Cardinal, he was installed as Cardinal-Deacon of San Adriano.
, his aunt forced him to live at the Villa Pamphili with her. From there she directed his audiences with church leaders, often prodding him to provide answers she had provided him with in advance. However, he quickly proved such an incompetence that his appointment to the curial office of Cardinal-Nephew
(officially styled as Superintendent of the Papal States) had never been realised. His pitiful behaviour disgraced the Pope and in 1650, Maidalchini was replaced by Olimpia's cousin, and rival for political power, Camillo Astalli
. Having blamed Olimpia for his disgrace, Francesco became her bitter enemy.
In 1653 Maidalchini was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of San Pancrazio
. In 1654 he was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Portico Octaviae and the following year, following the death of his "uncle", he participated in the papal conclave of 1655
which elected Pope Alexander VII
. His aunt Olimpia died in 1657.
After only 8 years with Maidalchini as Cardinal-Deacon, the church of S Maria in Portico Octaviae was in ruins and without income. Its deaconry was suppressed by Pope Alexander VII and Maidalchini was transferred to the newer Santa Maria in Campitelli
.
, which was customarily assigned to the senior cardinal-deacon, although it was only in 1669 when he assumed this position in the Sacred College. He participated in the conclave of 1667
which elected Pope Clement IX
, the conclave of 1669-1670 which elected Pope Clement X
, the conclave of 1676
which elected Pope Innocent XI
and the conclave of 1689
which elected Pope Alexander VIII
. As cardinal protodeacon
, he announced the elections
of the popes Clement X, Innocent XI and Alexander VIII and celebrated the rites of their coronations
.
Later that year he was ordained as a priest and was appointed Cardinal-Priest of the Church of Santa Maria in Via
. In accordance with the bull Postquam verus of Sixtus V (3 December 1586), he assumed the position of protopriest
of the College of Cardinals. He participated in the conclave of 1691
which elected Pope Innocent XII
and became Cardinal-Priest of the Church of Santa Prassede
later that same year.
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...
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...
of the Roman Catholic 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...
.
Early life
Maidalchini was born 12 April 1631 in ViterboViterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, the son of Andrea Maidalchini and Pacifica Feliziani. His father was the brother of 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 :...
; sister-in-law 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...
.
In 1647, Maidalchini's counsin, Camillo Francesco Maria Pamphili
Camillo Francesco Maria Pamphili
Camillo Francesco Maria Pamphili was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and later nobleman of the Pamphili family. His name is often spelled with the final long i orthography; Pamphilj.-Early life:...
, resigned his post as 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 marry and Innocent X required a new Cardinal Nephew. The pope destined for this task his sister-in-law's nephew, Francesco Maidalchini. Upon being elevated to Cardinal, he was installed as Cardinal-Deacon of San Adriano.
Olimpia Maidalchini
Maidalchini was a creature of his aunt Olimpia Maidalchini. Instead of living in one of the many buildings of The VaticanHoly 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...
, his aunt forced him to live at the Villa Pamphili with her. From there she directed his audiences with church leaders, often prodding him to provide answers she had provided him with in advance. However, he quickly proved such an incompetence that his appointment to the curial office of 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...
(officially styled as Superintendent of the Papal States) had never been realised. His pitiful behaviour disgraced the Pope and in 1650, Maidalchini was replaced by Olimpia's cousin, and rival for political power, Camillo Astalli
Camillo Astalli
Camillo Astalli was an Italian cardinal, elevated on 19 September 1650 by Pope Innocent X, who simultaneously adopted him into the Pamphili family and appointed him Cardinal-Nephew...
. Having blamed Olimpia for his disgrace, Francesco became her bitter enemy.
In 1653 Maidalchini was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of San Pancrazio
San Pancrazio
San Pancrazio is a basilica church in Rome, founded in the 6th century. It stands in via S. Pancrazio, westward beyond the Porta San Pancrazio that opens in a stretch of the Aurelian Wall on the Janiculum....
. In 1654 he was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Portico Octaviae and the following year, following the death of his "uncle", he participated in the papal conclave of 1655
Papal conclave, 1655
The Papal conclave of 1655 was the papal conclave of Cardinals called on the death of Pope Innocent X. The conclave elected Fabio Chigi, who took office as Alexander VII.- History :...
which elected 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 aunt Olimpia died in 1657.
After only 8 years with Maidalchini as Cardinal-Deacon, the church of S Maria in Portico Octaviae was in ruins and without income. Its deaconry was suppressed by Pope Alexander VII and Maidalchini was transferred to the newer Santa Maria in Campitelli
Santa Maria in Campitelli
Santa Maria in Campitelli or Santa Maria in Portico is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the Piazza di Campitelli, Rome, Italy....
.
Later ecclesiastic career
In 1666 Maidalchini was transferred to the deaconry of Santa Maria in Via LataSanta Maria in Via Lata
Santa Maria in Via Lata is a church on the Via del Corso , in Rome, Italy.-History:It is claimed that St. Paul spent two years here, in the crypt under the church, whilst under house arrest waiting for his trial. This conflicts with the tradition regarding San Paolo alla Regola...
, which was customarily assigned to the senior cardinal-deacon, although it was only in 1669 when he assumed this position in the Sacred College. 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...
, the conclave of 1669-1670 which elected 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...
, 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...
and 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...
. As cardinal protodeacon
Protodeacon
Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man," "minister" or "messenger." The word in English may refer to various clergymen, depending upon the usage of the particular church in question.-Eastern...
, he announced the elections
Habemus Papam
Habemus Papam! is the announcement given in Latin by the senior Cardinal Deacon upon the election of a new pope.The announcement is given from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican...
of the popes Clement X, Innocent XI and Alexander VIII and celebrated the rites of their coronations
Papal Coronation
A papal coronation was the ceremony of the placing of the Papal Tiara on a newly elected pope. The first recorded papal coronation was that of Pope Celestine II in 1143. Soon after his coronation in 1963, Pope Paul VI abandoned the practice of wearing the tiara. His successors have chosen not to...
.
Later that year he was ordained as a priest and was appointed Cardinal-Priest of the Church of Santa Maria in Via
Santa Maria in Via
Santa Maria in Via is a basilica church in Rome. The church was already built in the 9th century, but was rebuilt in occasion of a miracle to host an icon.A church or a chapel was present in the same place in the 9th century...
. In accordance with the bull Postquam verus of Sixtus V (3 December 1586), he assumed the position of protopriest
Protopriest
Protopriest — in the College of Cardinals, is the first Cardinal-Priest in the order of precedence. This title is always attached to the most senior Cardinal Priest according to date of his creation. From the 17th century until the end of 19th century Protopriest usually opted for the titulus San...
of the College of Cardinals. 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 became Cardinal-Priest of the Church of Santa Prassede
Santa Prassede
The Basilica of Saint Praxedes , commonly known in Italian as Santa Prassede, is an ancient titular church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy, located near the papal basilica of Saint Mary Major...
later that same year.