POPE INNOCENT XIII

'Pope Innocient XIII' (May 13, 1655 – March 7, 1724) was pope from 1721 until his death.
Born 'Michelangelo dei Conti' in Poli, near Rome, like Pope Innocent III (1198–1216), Pope Gregory IX (1227–1241) and Pope Alexander IV (1254-1261), he was a member
of the family of the Conti di Segni. He also wore their family arms in his Pontificial Coat.
He became Cardinal under Pope Clement XI (1700–21) in 1706. From 1697 to 1710 he acted as papal nuncio to the Kingdom of Portugal, where he is believed to have formed those unfavourable impressions of the Jesuits which afterwards influenced his conduct towards them. In 1721 his high reputation for ability, learning, purity, and a kindly disposition secured his election to succeed Clement XI as Pope Innocient XIII. His pontificate was prosperous, but comparatively uneventful.
Innocient XIII prohibited the Jesuits from prosecuting their mission in China, and ordered that no new members should be received into the order. This indication of his sympathies encouraged some French bishops to approach him with a petition for the recall of the bull "Unigenitus" by which Jansenism had been condemned; the request, however, was peremptorily denied.
Innocent XIII, like his predecessor, showed much favour to the English Pretender "James III", and liberally supported him. He was succeeded by Pope Benedict XIII (1724–30).

Contents

References

References

★ ''Original text from the 9th edition (1880) of an unnamed encyclopedia.''