Camillo Astalli

Camillo Astalli (born 21 October 1616[1], died 21 December 1663) was an Italian cardinal, elevated on 19 September 1650 by Pope Innocent X, who simultaneously adopted him into the Pamphili family (as Camillo Astalli-Pamphili) and appointed him Cardinal-Nephew. He was a cousin, and rival for papal court power, of Olimpia Maidalchini[2].

He served as governor of Fermo and pontifical legate for the district of Avignon (1650–1653).

In February 1654 he fell into disgrace for revealing the secrets of state to Spain (likely the plans to invade Naples). The Pope deprived him of the title of Cardinal-Nephew and forbade him using the family name and arms of Pamphili. When Innocent X died, Astalli participated in the papal conclave of 1655[3] which elected Pope Alexander VII. Then he was appointed cardinal-protector of the Kingdom of Naples.

On 24 January 1661 the cardinals elected him to the post of Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals for the annual term (until January 16, 1662). In July 1661 he was consecrated archbishop of Catania. He died at Catania.

References

  1. ^ Rene Rapin: Memoires, ed. Leon Aubvineau, Paris, 1865, p. 423
  2. ^ Eleanor Herman, Mistress of the Vatican, 2008
  3. ^ Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church