Pope Clement IX

Also known as

Giulio Rospigliosi

Profile

Noted student at the Roman Seminary and University of Pisa; received his Ph.D at age 23. Professor of philosophy at the University of Pisa. Priest. Member of the papal court, and a friend of Pope Urban VIII. Titular archbishop of Tarsus. Papal nuncio to Spain. Secretary of state and cardinal-priest in the court of Pope Alexander VII. Chosen 238th pope in 1667.

As pope he heard confessions two days a week in Saint Peter's, visited the sick in Roman hospitals, refused to have his name put on buildings he financed, and was much beloved for his humility and charity. Reorganized the Church in Portugal. Temporarily calmed the Jansenist dissension in France, period known as the Clementine Peace, (Pax Clementina). Arbitrated the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle between France and Spain. Cleaned up the Vatican finances. Financially supported Venice against the Turks in defense of Crete.

Born

28 January 1600 in Pistoja, Italy as Giulio Rospigliosi

Papal Ascension

20 June 1667

Died

9 December 1669 in Rome, Italy of natural causes; interred in a tomb in the church of Saint Mary Major

Beatifications

1668: Saint Rose of Lima
1669: Blessed Margaret of Savoy

Canonizations

1669: Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi
1669: Saint Peter of Alcantara

Additional Information

Wikipedia
Catholic Encyclopedia
New Catholic Dictionary

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