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

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THE INFLUENCE OF BORROMEO. 2$<br />

on his side, but his hopes were bound to be disappointed, since<br />

Borromeo could nut lend his support to a candidate whose<br />

ideas were so unecclesiastical.'<br />

<strong>The</strong> great influence over <strong>the</strong> election which was generally<br />

attributed to Borromeo is shown in a report which Cardinal<br />

Gonzaga caused to be sent to <strong>the</strong> Duke <strong>of</strong> Mantua before <strong>the</strong><br />

conclave, dealing with <strong>the</strong> prospects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> various candidates.^<br />

In <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> almost every candidate Gonzaga mentions <strong>the</strong><br />

attitude towards him adopted by Borromeo, and in many cases<br />

he looks upon this attitude as a decisive factor. He speaks<br />

especially <strong>of</strong> three Cardinals, Morone, Farnese and Ferreri.<br />

Morone stands first among those whom Borromeo does not<br />

wish for any more than he does, but if <strong>the</strong> French have not<br />

time to arrive before <strong>the</strong> election, and Este is unable to exclude<br />

him, <strong>the</strong>re is great reason to fear that he will be successful.<br />

In order to gain time Gonzaga tried to persuade Borromeo<br />

that he would be well advised to await <strong>the</strong> arrival <strong>of</strong> those<br />

Cardinals <strong>of</strong> Pius IV. who were still absent, Boncompagni,<br />

Crivelli, and Commendone. Farnese is popular with <strong>the</strong><br />

poorer Cardinals on account <strong>of</strong> his wealth ; never<strong>the</strong>less<br />

Gonzaga hopes to be able to keep Borromeo and Mark Sittich<br />

<strong>from</strong> supporting him. In <strong>the</strong> opinion <strong>of</strong> Gonzaga, Ferreri<br />

has <strong>the</strong> support <strong>of</strong> Borromeo, and <strong>the</strong>refore has a good chance<br />

though <strong>the</strong> older Cardinals look upon him as a man <strong>of</strong> but small<br />

importance and learning.<br />

In Gonzaga's opinion a large number <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r candidates<br />

are far less to be reckoned with than <strong>the</strong> three already named.<br />

Farnese is supporting Ghislieri, not in order that he may<br />

become Pope, which would be difficult to bring about, but in<br />

order to open his own way to <strong>the</strong> Papal throne. So far<br />

Ippohto d'Este had no chance, since Borromeo will not support<br />

him on any terms. He will <strong>the</strong>refore have to wait for help<br />

1 " Montepulciano sarebbe Papa, si Borromeo lo volesse,<br />

ma lo abhorrisce come la paste." Opinion <strong>of</strong> Cardinal Gonzaga<br />

sent to <strong>the</strong> Duke <strong>of</strong> Mantua by Fr. Tosabezzo on December 15,<br />

1565, Gonzaga Archives, Mantua.<br />

* *By means <strong>of</strong> Tosabezzo, December 15, 1565, ibid. ; see<br />

App. n. 2.

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