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

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154<br />

HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

to which <strong>the</strong>y had been called by God, and deplored <strong>the</strong> fact<br />

that <strong>the</strong> thoughts <strong>of</strong> sdme <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cardinals were directed to<br />

nothing except intrigues to obtain <strong>the</strong> papacy ei<strong>the</strong>r for <strong>the</strong>m-<br />

selves or <strong>the</strong>ir friends. This did not grieve him so much in it-<br />

self as <strong>the</strong> fact that any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m should treat so lightly <strong>the</strong><br />

buUs <strong>of</strong> Paul IV. and Pius IV. If <strong>the</strong>y did but know how wrong<br />

and displeasing to God it was, <strong>the</strong>y would certainly not act in<br />

such a way.^ It is said that while he was speaking <strong>the</strong> Pope<br />

kept his eyes fixed upon Cardinal d'Este.^ After <strong>the</strong> con-<br />

sistory Este several times asked <strong>the</strong> Pope for absolution <strong>from</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> censures which he had incurred by his conduct.^ Cicada,<br />

too, had taken part in <strong>the</strong> intrigues to obtain <strong>the</strong> tiara, a fact<br />

which specially roused <strong>the</strong> indignation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope, since<br />

Cicada had been one <strong>of</strong> those who had been principally con-<br />

sulted in <strong>the</strong> drafting <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong> buU <strong>of</strong> Pius IV. ^<br />

It would seem that for a time Pius V. contemplated <strong>the</strong><br />

issuing <strong>of</strong> a bull for <strong>the</strong> reform <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> conclave,^ but it was<br />

principally by taking care that <strong>the</strong>re were worthy electors<br />

that <strong>the</strong> Papal election was to be safeguarded, and <strong>the</strong>refore<br />

<strong>the</strong> renewal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Cardinals was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main<br />

objects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> zealous Pope. At a moment <strong>of</strong> physical illness,<br />

a few months after he had ascended <strong>the</strong> throne, he said that<br />

he felt his strength failing ; he regretted this, not for its own<br />

sake, since he was ready to appear before God at any moment,<br />

but because he would have to leave <strong>the</strong> CoUege <strong>of</strong> Cardinals<br />

1 Laemmer, Melet., 219.<br />

^ *Arco, June 7, 1567, State Archives, Vienna.<br />

^ *Arco, June 15, 1567, ibid.<br />

* *Arco, June 21, 1567, ibid. B. Pia as well (to Luzzara, June 7,<br />

1567, Gonzaga Archives, Mantua) had information that alcuni<br />

cardinals had asked pardon <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope, and had obtained it on<br />

condition <strong>of</strong> amendment. In ano<strong>the</strong>r *letter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same date<br />

{ibid.), Pia says that in his discourse <strong>the</strong> Pope had named Este<br />

and Vitelli.<br />

5 *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> March 20, 1568, Urb. 1040, p. 490b,<br />

Vatican Library. <strong>The</strong> powers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Camerlengo were to be<br />

restricted, as well as <strong>the</strong> expenditure during a vacancy in <strong>the</strong><br />

Ploly See.

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