28.10.2014 Views

mistress of the vatican.pdf - End Time Deception

mistress of the vatican.pdf - End Time Deception

mistress of the vatican.pdf - End Time Deception

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Eleanor Herman<br />

were discussing foreign affairs, replied that great thought should be<br />

given to that, and that he would perhaps better be able to serve His Holiness<br />

in his present position. Then he continued discussing o<strong>the</strong>r affairs<br />

with <strong>the</strong> same tranquility as before.” 16 It was an unheard-<strong>of</strong> reply, ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />

like a lottery player, hearing that he held <strong>the</strong> winning $100 million<br />

ticket, suddenly turning to discuss <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

When Chigi held his regular audience with <strong>the</strong> pope that evening,<br />

he didn’t fling himself on his knees expressing heartfelt gratitude for<br />

<strong>the</strong> immense honor in store for him. In fact, he didn’t even mention <strong>the</strong><br />

cardinal’s cap. After he departed, Innocent called for Cardinal Astalli-<br />

Pamphili and angrily accused him <strong>of</strong> not imparting <strong>the</strong> news. The<br />

young cardinal protested that he had indeed told him. Dumbfounded,<br />

<strong>the</strong> pope exclaimed, “We have not ever seen such a man; nothing moves<br />

him.” 17<br />

On February 18, <strong>the</strong> night before <strong>the</strong> announcement <strong>of</strong> his elevation,<br />

Chigi told a friend that he accepted <strong>the</strong> dignity reluctantly because with<br />

increased honors came increased responsibilities. “I assure you that if<br />

<strong>the</strong> list were in my possession, I would cross out my name,” he said with<br />

a sigh. 18<br />

Innocent assigned Cardinal Chigi three important congregations in<br />

addition to his time-consuming duties as secretary <strong>of</strong> state. He joined<br />

<strong>the</strong> Holy Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Inquisition, <strong>the</strong> Congregation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Propagation<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faith, and <strong>the</strong> congregation that examined potential bishops.<br />

Working day and night, Chigi proved himself <strong>the</strong> most efficient member<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sacred College.<br />

One evening <strong>the</strong> pope gave <strong>the</strong> order that Cardinal Chigi, not Cardinal<br />

Astalli-Pamphili, should have <strong>the</strong> honor <strong>of</strong> carrying <strong>the</strong> candles into<br />

his <strong>of</strong>fice at sunset and staying for a consultation. The two had a long<br />

chat behind closed doors while <strong>the</strong> younger cardinal cooled his heels in<br />

<strong>the</strong> antechamber, fuming that he, as nephew, should have had precedence<br />

over <strong>the</strong> secretary <strong>of</strong> state and access to <strong>the</strong> pontiff at all times.<br />

And from <strong>the</strong>n on it was Chigi, not <strong>the</strong> nephew, who carried in <strong>the</strong><br />

candles.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> same consistory that saw <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> Cardinal Chigi, <strong>the</strong><br />

princess <strong>of</strong> Rossano saw <strong>the</strong> elevation <strong>of</strong> two <strong>of</strong> her candidates—her<br />

[ 306 ]

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!