The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

ALBANI S RISE. 9
became the most influential person at court and he had the
Pope's ear at all times.^ He made himself worthy of this
confidence by his discretion and frankness. He gave proofs
of this especially during Innocent XH.'s illness in November,
1699, when he insisted on the Sacred College being consulted
on the nomination of Cardinals which -took place then.^ In
his political views Albani leaned towards France, though as
a contemporary remarked, without denying his strict
ecclesiastical principles ^ ; that is, he stood for good relations
with the powerful ruler of France after the latter had dropped
his Galilean tendencies.
Albani was one of the youngest members of the Sacred
College ;
he was not even a priest, and he was only ordained
in September, 1700.'* It was nevertheless generally beUeved
by about the middle of the last decade of the century that
he would most probably wear the tiara one day.^ All accounts
bear witness to his excellent qualifications for such an honour :
a blameless life, a dignified appearance,'' long experience not
^ Relazione di Roma of N. Erizzo (1702), State Archives,
Venice. This Relazione, disseminated in many copies—in Rome,
Bibl. Altieri and Corsini ; Munich, State Library, Cod. ital. 80 ;
Salzburg, Studienbibliothek ; Vienna, State Library, Cod. 5687,
5970, 13917. and State Archives—is printed in Cecchetti, II.,
323 seqq. Cf. R. Vecchiato, La relazione sulla carte di Roma
fatta dair ambasc. N. Erizzo (s. 1. and s. d.).
2 " *Vita critica " in Liechtenstein Archives, Vienna. Cf.
Reboulet, L, 35 seqq.
^ *Relazione D'Elce, /oc. ci7.
* On November 30, 1700, Clement XL was consecrated Bishop,
on December 8, he was crowned. The taking possession of the
Lateran took place on April 10, 1701 ; see Cancellieri, Possessi,
325 seqq.
* D. Contarini in Barozzi-Berchet, Relazioni, Roma, II.,
440 seqq., and *Vita critica, loc. cit.
" The longish, close-shaven (Cancellieri, 327) face with its
small, lively black eyes, gives expression to a melancholy gravity.
Oil painting by Maratta in the Albani Palace, Urbino.
Engraving of Girolamo Rossi (in Guarnacci, II., i) after the
portrait of Pietro Nelli, and Antonio Odatius' engraving by