Francesco Martelli

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Francesco Martelli (1633 - September 28, 1717) was an Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal.

[edit] Biography

Martelli was born in Florence of a patrician family.

He studied canon and civil law in the University of Pisa and became canon of the cathedral chapter of Florence. Later he was made relator of the Sacred Congregation of Good Government in the pontificate of Pope Clement IX. Then he was appointed referendary of the Tribunals of the Apostolic Signature of Justice and of Grace and governor of Faenza (later of Spoleto and vice-legate in Ferrara). He was ordained priest on September 8, 1675.

He was elected titular archbishop of Corinthus on September 9, 1675. On September 20, 1675 was appointed Apostolic nuncio in Poland. Martelli obtained the title of secretary in the Roman Curia by Pope Innocent XI. On July 21, 1698 he was promoted to the titular patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Francesco Martelli was created cardinal priest in the consistory of May 17, 1706 by Pope Clement XI with the title of Sant'Eusebio. He retired because of gout and died in 1717 in Rome.