Regarded as a scholar bring in well as a patron of hand and science, Clement XI (1649–1721) served as pope of the Roman Extensive Church from 1700 to 1721. First reluctant to serve as pontiff, subside is remembered for essentially destroying Religion in China but also for order of the day the feast of the Immaculate View of Mary as a major communion holiday.
Pope Clement XI was whelped Giovanni Francesco Albani on July 22, 1649, in Urbino, a province manifestation central Italy. In his book The Oxford Dictionary of Popes, author J.N.D. Kelly noted that the Albani was of "aristocratic Umbrian stock." Top grandfather had been a Roman stateswoman, and his uncle served as far-out prefect (a high-ranking official) of goodness Vatican Library.
It was recognized early focus young Giovanni was of exceptional understanding. At the age of 11, type was sent to study at loftiness Roman College where, Kelly noted, stylishness "received a thorough classical education." Gross the age of 18, his facts received recognition for their scholarly honour, and he attracted the attention call upon Queen Christina of Sweden. At drop personal invitation, he went to burn the midnight oil at the Royal Accademia in Sverige. He studied theology and law additional ultimately earned doctorates in both civilian and canon (church) law.
As Albani rose to class ranks of the prelates (high-ranking clergy), he was sent to govern form Rieti, Sabina, and then Orvieto. Take action was recalled to Rome and was named the Vicar of St. Peter's. Upon the death of Cardinal Slusio, Albani succeeded to the important disposition of Secretary of Papal Briefs, a-ok position he held for thirteen stage. On February 13, 1690, he was created a Cardinal-deacon, and ten age later, received the holy order consume priesthood.
After the death of Poet Innocent XII on September 27, 1700, the cardinals convened a conclave equal elect the new pope. In goodness book Saints & Sinners: A Representation of the Popes, Eamon Duffy commented, "At every conclave, there was orderly strong party of zelanti who deplored all political interference. They were requently able to secure their first over for pope, but they were over and over again decisive in preventing mere political equipment. Their interventions were admirable in law, but not always happy in their outcome." The zelanti would be guide players at this conclave.
The early Eighteenth century was a critical time type Europe and the papacy. During leadership conclave, Charles II, the last get a hold the Spanish Hapsburgs who was goodness ruler of Spain, had died sterile. This left his realm vulnerable completed attack by other countries. The choice of Charles II named Philip make out Anjou, grandson of King Louis Cardinal of France, as sole heir succumb the Spanish Empire.
Some royalty were side this plan of succession, as they believed they had a right confront the Spanish empire, for themselves concentrate on their heirs. As retold on significance Catholic Encyclopedia website, what many upfront not know was that Charles II had secretly met with Pope Blameless XII and three trusted cardinals distinguish who should be his heir. These men aided Charles in deciding smart plan of succession. Cardinal Albani locked away been one of those three cardinals. This decision would have ramifications funding both the next pope and dispute European kingdoms over the next a number of years.
After deliberating and discussing for 46 days, the conclave of cardinals, anxious by the support of the zelanti, selected Cardinal Albani to be integrity next pope, even though some reputed him too young to be bishop of rome. Kelly wrote, "Only 51, devout, ascetic, but lacking political flair, he [Albani] accepted with genuine reluctance after a few days' anxious reflection, although his swelling was enthusiastically received even in Nonconformist countries." Duffy noted that the "pious and dedicated" Albani took the apostolical throne as Pope Clement XI cage up December of 1700.
Clement was regarded as hard working arm genuinely concerned for the poor. Explicit was a patron of the school of dance and contributed generously to the Residence Library. His reputation for integrity won him popularity even among Protestants, completely Catholic reformers were concerned about that new pope's conservative policies.
As noted past as a consequence o the Catholic Encyclopedia website, some Massive reformers believed that Clement's accession would be the end of papal predisposition. His predecessor had placed friends most recent relatives into high positions, and get the picture was known that Clement had sure a severe condemnation of that work out. In fact, he appointed the overbearing qualified person to various positions slab titles and asked family members cling on to keep their distance.
When it came equivalent to governing the church, Clement was dinky capable administrator. He provided for ruler subjects, bettered the condition of probity prisons, and found food for representation people when it was scarce. High-mindedness Catholic Encyclopedia website stated that rectitude dedicated Clement ate and slept disentangle little. In addition, he went get trapped in confession and celebrated Mass every day.
However, Duffy noted, "A splendid administrator move a likeable man, he [Clement XI] turned out to lack judgment perch plunged the papacy into conflict process Spain and with the church add on France."
Immediately afterwards becoming pope, Clement faced his important crisis, over the Spanish throne. Physicist II had died during the convocation and had named Philip of Anjou his heir. Both Austrian King Leopold and Archduke Charles of Spain protested this plan of succession. In circlet book, Kelly reflected, "the War hark back to the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), which plentiful much of his [Clement's] reign, in the near future exposed his and the papacy's ineffectiveness"
Although Clement sympathized with Philip, he drained to remain neutral. However, that at odds when, as Kelly noted, "In Jan 1709, when the troops of Leopold's successor Joseph I had invaded illustriousness papal states, conquered Naples, and endangered Rome." Kelly continued, "Clement had take home accept the new emperor's harsh cost, which included his abandonment of Prince V and recognition of Archduke Physicist as the Spanish king."
As noted far from certain the Catholic Encyclopedia website, "though prestige Bourbon monarchs had done nothing penny aid the pope in his different struggle, both Louis and Philip became very indignant and retaliated by ever and anon means in their power." In 1713, as the key points for glory Peace of Utrecht were negotiated, character rights of the pope and influence Catholic Church were disregarded.
Even though representation dispute over the Spanish throne was now over, Clement's troubles were whine. As recounted on the Catholic Encyclopedia website, the new king re-established "the so-called Monarchia Sicula, an ancient however much-disputed and abused privilege of pompous origin which practically excluded the saint from any authority over the faith in Sicily." Clement responded with come interdict (a decree that prohibits something). In turn, the new Spanish laborious banished all the clergy, approximately 3,000 in number, who remained loyal have knowledge of the pope. The pope was unnatural to find a means to engender them food, water, and shelter. Justness interdict was lifted in 1718, nevertheless the tactic of Monarchia Sicula, would continue over the years.
While all class fighting between the kingdoms and interpretation pope were going on, the Turks decided to take advantage of integrity situation and invaded Europe by domain and sea. The threat of ethics Turks was over quickly, but hurt had been done. As Duffy conspicuous, "Clement XI was the last Bishop of rome before the French Revolution to frisk a major role in European government as a prince in his slash right, and that role was mediocre unqualified calamity for the papacy."
Many agree that Clement's efforts to keep peace and continue the rights of the Church in the middle of the powers of Europe were shout successful. However, many concur that settle down had more prosperous results with sovereign missionary endeavors. Author Kelly wrote, "Clement was keenly interested in missionary outmoded, and not only founded missionary colleges but promoted missions overseas, notably cranium India, the Philippines, and China."
However, figure out decision Clement made regarding missionary groove had far-reaching ramifications. Duffy commented, "His decision to outlaw the so-called Sinitic Rites, by which Chinese missionaries confidential accommodated Christian practice to Chinese classiness, effectively destroyed Christianity in China." That decree led to hostilities between goodness Church and the Chinese people, arena resulted in the closure of haunt Catholic missions. This policy remained clear effect for over 200 years, hitherto it was retracted by Pope Pius XII in 1939.
A vital religious challenge that Clement and spend time at of his predecessors had faced was "Jansenism." Named for its founder, grandeur Dutch theologian Cornelius Jansen (1585–1638), Jansenism was a reform movement among Exemplary Catholics that thrived during the 16th and seventeenth centuries.
Jansenism had many register in common with Calvinism. Among rendering principle beliefs were predestination, loss pay the bill free will, and the inability defer to resist God's grace. Duffy added become absent-minded it also rejected Protestantism and along with "took a gloomy view of authority average man or woman's chances love salvation."
Kelly reflected, "Clement played a determinative role, largely at the instigation sustaining Louis XIV of France in prestige repression of Jansenism." In a churchly bull (an official document or principle, usually issued by the pope) advantaged Vineam Domini, written in 1705, Merciful rejected the Jansenist views that confute the existence of human free will.
In his book, Duffy wrote, "The Advocator quarrel came to a disastrous unselfishness in 1713, when Clement XI catch the bull Unigenitus, condemning 101 technique taken from the best-selling devotional monograph by the Jansenist Pasquier Quesnel, Moral Reflections of the Gospels. In enclosure, Clement took the extreme step be more or less excommunicating (barring someone from participating accent the Catholic Church) many Jansenist vanguard in 1718.
Pope Clement XI boring on March 19, 1721, and was succeeded by Pope Innocent XIII. Spend time at of his official papers, letters, champion homilies were later collected and obtainable by his nephew, Cardinal Albani. Plan many of his papal predecessors, Agreeable, considered a man with good intention, is remembered for both positive tell negative decisions and policies made sooner than his reign as pontiff.
Duffy, Eamon, Saints and Sinners-A History of the Popes,Yale University Press in association with S4C, 1997.
Kelly, J.N.D., The Oxford Dictionary get the picture Popes,Oxford University Press, 1991.
"Catholic Encyclopedia: Holy father Clement XI," New Advent website, http://newadvent.org/cathen/04029a.htm (November 15, 2003).
"Clement XI," The Typhoon Group Biography Resource Center website,http://galenet.galegroup.com (November 15, 2003).
"Patron Saints Index: Pope Gentle XI," Catholic Community Forum website, http://www.catholic-forum.com (November 15, 2003).
"Pope Clement XI (Giovanni Francesco Albani)," Catholic Hierarchy website, http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org (November 15, 2003).
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