Who he was
A scholar from Pistoia who took his doctorate at Pisa and taught philosophy there, he shared Urban VIII's love of literature and poetry and served as nuncio in Spain. Alexander VII made him Secretary of State and a cardinal, and he was elected pope unanimously. He was much loved in Rome for his charity and his kindness to great and small alike.
What he is remembered for
Twice a week he sat in a confessional in St Peter's to hear anyone who came, visited the hospitals, and did almost nothing to enrich his family. He beatified St Rose of Lima, canonised St Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi and St Peter of Alcántara, and brought a lull in the Jansenist dispute known as the Clementine Peace. He helped make peace between France and Spain at Aix-la-Chapelle, and sent aid to Venice in the defence of Crete, whose fall is said to have hastened his death.
Sources
All popes · Home · All saints