Pope Alexander VII

[Pope Alexander VII]
Also known as
Fabio Chigi
Profile
Born to the nobility, the son of Flavio Chigi and Laura Marsigli. Great-nephew of Pope Paul V. Due to poor health, Fabio was educated at home by his mother and a series of tutors. Doctor of philosophy, law and theology at the University of Siena in 1626. Referendary of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature. Referendary of the Tribunal of Justice. Referendary of the Tribunal of Grace. Papal vice-legate in Ferrara from 1627 to 1632. Inquisitor in Malta. Ordained in December 1634. Bishop of Nardò on 8 January 1635. Papal nuncio in Cologne, Germany from 11 June 1639 to 1651. Papal envoy extraordinary to the conference in Münster, Germany, in 1644, which negotiated the Peace of Westphalia that ended the Thirty Years' War. Vatican Secretary of State for Pope Innocent X in 1651. Created cardinal-priest on 19 February 1652. Archbishop of Imola on 13 May 1653. Part of the 80-day conclave of 1655, and unaimously elected 237th Pope.

During his pontificate, repeated difficulties with Louis XIV led to the temporary loss of Avignon and acceptance of the humiliating terms of the treaty of Pisa in 1664. Alexander fought Jansenism by compelling the French clergy to sign his "formulary." Supported Venice in their fight with the expanding Turks. He was a patron of art, beautified Rome and many of its churches, enlarged the libraries of the Vatican and the Roman University, and befriended men of letters.
Born
13 February 1599 in Siena, Italy as Fabio Chigi
Ascension
elected on 7 April 1655; crowned on 18 April 1655
Died
22 May 1667 in Rome, Italy of natural causes; buried in Saint Peter's basilica; his tomb statuary is by the artist Bernini
Beatifications
1662: Saint Francis de Sales
1664: Saint Peter Arbues
Canonizations
1655: Saint Ferdinand III of Castille
1658: Saint Thomas of Villanova
1665: Saint Francis de Sales
1666: Saint John of Matha
1666: Saint Felix of Valois
Images
World Art Kiosk
Additional Information
Wikipedia
Catholic-Hierarchy.Org
Popes Through The Ages, by Father Joseph Brusher S.J.
Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, by Salvador Miranda
Pietro da Cortona and Alexander VII
Google Directory
Catholic Encyclopedia: Ad Sanctam Beati Petri Sedem
Catholic Encyclopedia: Pope Alexander VII
New Catholic Dictionary
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