His reign is memorable in the annals of moral … March 1, 1907. In the conclave of 1655, famous for its duration of eighty days, and for the clash of national and factional interests, Cardinal Chigi was unanimously elected Pope. Corrections? "Pope Alexander VII." 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. Alexander VII died at age 66 from kidney failure. For a year the hopes of Christendom seemed to be realized. His pontificate was marked by several disputes; he confirmed the condemnation of Jansenism but supported the Jesuits, allowing them to use Chinese rites for their mission work in China. He Kept Multiple Mistresses. Imprimatur. 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. Linus, 67–76? 1. MLA citation. 1. In the Rome of Renaissance times, an ancestor of Alexander VII was known as the "Magnificent". This article was transcribed for New Advent by Gerard Haffner. (See LOUIS XIV.) 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 did much to beautify Rome. (See THIRTY-YEARS WAR.) This article was transcribed for New Advent by Gerard Haffner. 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". The princes, however, were tired of war and, despite his admonition, yielded to France and the Protestants. His tomb by Bernini is one of the most beautiful monuments in St. Peter's. Grandnephew of Pope Paul V, Chigi served the church as vice legate at Ferrara and as nuncio at Cologne (1639–51). 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. The decree asserts the rights of Spain and Portugal to colonize, convert, and enslave. Updates? Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. 365). He was successively inquisitor at Malta, vice-legate at Ferrara, and nuncio in Cologne (1639-51). With their advent came a marked change in the manner of life of the pontiff. The youth of Fabio was marked by continued ill-health, consequent upon an attack of apoplexy in infancy. This principle received its most famous epigrammatic articulation in Alexander Pope's apothegm from "An Essay on Criticism" (1711) urging that "The sound must seem an echo to the sense" (1. 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. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. His pursuit of political goals and unremitting efforts to aggrandize his family were seen as excessive. Source(s): c2+: CB; b: The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, 19 Feb 1652 Pope Alexander VI: The Papal bull Inter Caetera (4 May 1493; Translation) Columbus Manuscript; Christopher Columbus describes the new lands he has discovered. 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. Innocent X called him to Rome in 1651 to be his secretary of state, and in February, 1652, made him Cardinal. Contact information. In 1627 he was appointed by Urban VIII Vice-Legate of Ferrara, and he served five years under the Cardinals Sacchetti and Pallotta, whose commendations won for him the important post of Inquisitor of Malta, together with the episcopal consecration. Ecclesiastical approbation. 7. Pope Alexander VII - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia Divided the New World for Portugal, Spain. 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. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. The latter owed much also to his mother, a woman of singular power and skill in the formation of youth. Cath. 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. Pope Alexander VII Gasparo Morone. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01294a.htm. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more — all for only $19.99... Fabio Chigi, born at Sienna, 13 February, 1599; elected 7 April, 1655; died at Rome, 22 May, 1667. That he obtained the papacy through simony was the general belief (Pastor, loc. 2. Due to poor health that began in infancy he was educated primarily at home, first by his mother and subsequently by tutors. Sixtus I, 115–25? During the conclave he had been bitterly hostile to Chigi, but was in the end compelled to accept his election as a compromise. Alexander VII, original name Fabio Chigi, (born Feb. 13, 1599, Siena, Republic of Florence—died May 22, 1667, Rome), pope from 1655 to 1667. As the Spanish faction was well disposed towards Chigi there now remained only Donna Olympia to win over. 4. 6. 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. Quart. The conclave believed he was strongly opposed to the nepotism then prevalent. 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. This is an incomplete list of papal bulls, listed by the year in which each was issued.. The administration was given largely into the hands of his relatives, and nepotic abuses came to weigh as heavily as ever upon the papacy. 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