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

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Eleanor Herman<br />

in sage men, all assuming that she could return to a state in between, in<br />

which she would have helped with <strong>the</strong> petitions <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs but would not<br />

have regained her former power or sold <strong>the</strong> palace positions as best she<br />

could.” 3<br />

While most cardinals told <strong>the</strong> pope that pardoning Olimpia was an<br />

excellent idea, <strong>the</strong> one assent he truly wanted was that <strong>of</strong> Cardinal<br />

Chigi, <strong>the</strong> man he respected most. If <strong>the</strong> incorruptible Chigi supported<br />

Olimpia’s return for <strong>the</strong> good <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pope and <strong>the</strong> church, few would<br />

question it. Cardinal Pallavicino reported, “One day, finding himself<br />

alone with Cardinal Chigi, he asked his opinion if it were opportune to<br />

rehabilitate her for <strong>the</strong> peace and quiet <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family, and to relieve him<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se tedious matters.” 4<br />

Cardinal Chigi found himself in a bind. “He knew that <strong>the</strong> pope<br />

having Olimpia by his side <strong>the</strong> second time around would be much<br />

more dishonorable than <strong>the</strong> first, when one could presume he was ignorant<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> indecent occurrences.” 5 But Chigi also knew that even if he<br />

were adamantly opposed to Olimpia’s pardon, <strong>the</strong> pope would call her<br />

back anyway. Restored to power, Olimpia, realizing Chigi was an enemy,<br />

would sideline or fire him, and he would not be in a position to<br />

mitigate <strong>the</strong> scandal she would cause for <strong>the</strong> church. And yet <strong>the</strong> honest<br />

cardinal could not lie to <strong>the</strong> pope.<br />

Sighing, Chigi said he feared that Olimpia’s return would result in<br />

an immediate public brawl with <strong>the</strong> princess <strong>of</strong> Rossano, who would<br />

not be likely to graciously yield her position as first lady <strong>of</strong> Rome to her<br />

mo<strong>the</strong>r-in-law. He would not wish to see His Holiness brought low by<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r family squabbles.<br />

The pope, who had wanted an enthusiastic affirmation <strong>of</strong> his proposal,<br />

was dissatisfied with this cool response. He hesitated. And his<br />

family remained on tenterhooks. Realizing that Cardinal Chigi was<br />

responsible for <strong>the</strong> pope’s hesitation, Prince Ludovisi called on him one<br />

day to convince him that Olimpia’s return was for <strong>the</strong> good <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Catholic Church and <strong>the</strong> Papal States.<br />

“Cardinal Chigi,” his biographer wrote, “knew well that <strong>the</strong> evil <strong>of</strong><br />

her return was inevitable, but did not want to be seen as a participant in<br />

it.” When Prince Ludovisi pressed Chigi for his opinion, he replied<br />

[ 316 ]

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

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!