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mistress of the vatican.pdf - End Time Deception

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Eleanor Herman<br />

to her little grandson Gianbattista Pamphili. She left Francesco Maidalchini<br />

five hundred scudi, a ra<strong>the</strong>r slender sum, and her servants received<br />

legacies. As for her state bonds, <strong>the</strong>y were to be sold and <strong>the</strong> money<br />

given to charity. The rest <strong>of</strong> her estate was to be given to her primary<br />

heir, Camillo.<br />

The pope could count himself fortunate that several irritating issues<br />

had been resolved to his satisfaction. Olimpia was back, soothing his<br />

doubts and worries and taking care <strong>of</strong> Vatican business. Olimpiuccia<br />

had finally consummated her marriage, and Olimpia had agreed to<br />

leave her estate to Camillo. But as age and illness tightened <strong>the</strong>ir grip,<br />

<strong>the</strong> pope grew cross and angry again.<br />

In December Giacinto Gigli reported that “<strong>the</strong> pope fired his majordomo,<br />

his maestro di casa, <strong>the</strong> deacon <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> grooms, and many o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

ministers, and made <strong>the</strong>m all give an exact account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> money that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y had spent and became suspicious and said that everyone was stealing<br />

from him.” 5 On January 20 <strong>the</strong> pope went to <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> Saint<br />

Sebastian and hastily knelt to pray. He fell, and when <strong>the</strong> prior tried to<br />

help him up, <strong>the</strong> pope fired him.<br />

Olimpia was on a mission—to earn as much money as possible before<br />

<strong>the</strong> pope died. Though she was already an extremely wealthy woman,<br />

deep inside her lived <strong>the</strong> powerless little girl <strong>of</strong> Viterbo who was terrified<br />

<strong>of</strong> not having enough. But how much was enough? As soon as Innocent<br />

brea<strong>the</strong>d his last, her income from <strong>of</strong>fice selling and influence<br />

peddling would dry up immediately. The relatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new pope<br />

would have <strong>the</strong>ir hands out for <strong>the</strong>se transactions. Moreover, she might<br />

need large sums to bribe her enemies into leaving her alone.<br />

Olimpia convinced <strong>the</strong> pope to involve himself less in political matters.<br />

He should conserve his health, she said. At his age, too much hard<br />

work could kill him, and only she truly looked after his best interests.<br />

Olimpia took over many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pope’s duties.<br />

“She did not content herself solely with giving orders for <strong>the</strong> political<br />

administration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church, and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> court,” Leti<br />

wrote. “She wanted to govern <strong>the</strong> spiritual realm as well, as she had<br />

q<br />

[ 334 ]

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