ALEXANDER VII: (1599-1667) Lot n° 980

ALEXANDER VII: (1599-1667) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and Ruler of the Papal States 1655-67. Born Fabio Chigi, he was a member of the very rich Sienese banker family, a patron of the arts, he commissioned the colonnades and the piazza in front of St. Peter´s basilica to his preferred artist, Gianlorenzo Bernini. Alexander VII canonized St. Francis of sales in 1662, who he admired and knew during his youth. At the early age of 35 he was appointed apostolic Delegate and Inquisitor of the Holy See in Malta.Very rare letter, signed with his born name, L.S., `F. Card.[inale] Chigi´ one page, 4to, Rome, 18th February 1654, to Monsignore Ottaviano Prati, in Italian. The future Pope, he would be elected only a year later, thanks his correspondent for the good welcome given to the Duke of Terranova, as extraordinary Ambassador envoy to Rome by the King of Spain, Philip IV. Cardinal Chigi states in part ` Si e udito con gusto di qua l´avviso participato da V[ostra] S.[ignoria] con la sua lettera de 14 corrente circa ilmodo del ricevimento fatto da Lei al sig.[nor] Duca di Terranova, e l´espressioni di stima, e gradimento dimostrato...´ (Translation: " We have heard with pleasure the opinion shared by Your Honorable Sir in your letter of the 14th regarding the manner of the reception given by you to the Duke of Terranova, and the expressions of esteem, and demonstrated satisfaction...") With address leaf bearing a contemporary receipt annotation and a paper seal affixed in good condition. Overall age wear with two small areas of paper loss to the edges, only affecting one letter to the heading.​ G Ottaviano Prati, Governor General of the province of Campagna from 1653. Diego Aragona Tagliavia, Duc de Terranova and Prince of Castelvetrano (1596-1663) In 1654, the year of the present letter, The Duke of Terranova played a very important role in the election of Alexander VII as Pope less than a year after, suceeding Pope Innocent X who in his later years, suffered from gout, causing him intense pain and severely restricting his movements. The eighty-year-old pontiff's health began to decline in August 1654. The Duke of Terranova succeeded in corrupting several Cardinals through pressures, pensions or various charges. Alexander VII was the chosen one by the Spanish Royal court. ​