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mistress of the vatican.pdf - End Time Deception

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Mistress <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Vatican<br />

know that among <strong>the</strong>se people <strong>the</strong>re are many Germans and French<br />

and maybe some heretics,” he roared. “Have <strong>the</strong>refore greater regard for<br />

your own dignity, that you do not show contempt for it.” 8 This comment<br />

winged its way back to Olimpia within <strong>the</strong> hour.<br />

One evening Prince Ludovisi, who had been so supportive <strong>of</strong> Olimpia’s<br />

return, marched up to Cardinal Chigi in <strong>the</strong> Quirinal and began<br />

complaining bitterly about her. He “deposited in his ears an infinity <strong>of</strong><br />

complaints about his mo<strong>the</strong>r-in-law, which stupefied <strong>the</strong> cardinal, and<br />

were such as he could not believe, so <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r [Prince Ludovisi] became<br />

even more heated in telling details and circumstances and in confirming<br />

<strong>the</strong>m with lively assertions.” 9<br />

Listening to <strong>the</strong> ridiculous tirade, Chigi burst out laughing so hard<br />

that he was unable to speak. The prince added that <strong>the</strong> cardinal would<br />

be right to reprove him for helping his mo<strong>the</strong>r-in-law back into power,<br />

when he should have trampled her underfoot. And so <strong>the</strong> two parted.<br />

Perhaps for reasons <strong>of</strong> delicacy, Cardinal Pallavicino does not relate<br />

<strong>the</strong> exact nature <strong>of</strong> Olimpia’s atrocities. It is likely that her wheeling and<br />

dealing in <strong>of</strong>fices would not have shocked <strong>the</strong> cardinal, as he had fully<br />

expected this behavior. It is possible that <strong>the</strong> accusations were <strong>of</strong> a sexual<br />

nature, which truly would have astonished <strong>the</strong> fifty-four-year-old virgin<br />

Chigi.<br />

Those seeking <strong>the</strong> pope’s favor were still <strong>of</strong>ficially supposed to call on<br />

<strong>the</strong> cardinal nephew, Cardinal Astalli-Pamphili. But everyone knew<br />

that he had absolutely no influence on Innocent; <strong>the</strong>y stopped calling on<br />

him and instead visited Olimpia, who delivered immediate results. The<br />

cardinal nephew, who had wholly lost <strong>the</strong> pope’s favor to Cardinal<br />

Chigi, now lost even <strong>the</strong> pretense <strong>of</strong> power, and stewed bitterly about it.<br />

Innocent was grouchy and impatient with him, criticizing him roundly<br />

for his ineptitude.<br />

But <strong>the</strong> pope reveled in Olimpia’s presence. On one occasion soon<br />

after her return it seemed as if she had truly brought him magic. The<br />

spring <strong>of</strong> 1653 saw an invasion <strong>of</strong> crickets and locusts, who munched<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir way through <strong>the</strong> fields outside Rome, prompting fears <strong>of</strong> yet ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

devastating famine. The skies turned black when swarms <strong>of</strong> biblical<br />

proportions buzzed overhead. Local farmers, desperate for help,<br />

[ 319 ]

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