The Italian nobility ( Italian : Nobiltà italiana ) comprised individuals and their families of the Italian Peninsula , and the islands linked with it, recognized by the sovereigns of the Italian city-states since the Middle Ages , and by the kings of Italy after the unification of the region into a single state, the Kingdom of Italy .
83-536: The House of Barberini is a family of the Italian nobility that rose to prominence in the 17th century Rome . Their influence peaked with the election of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini to the papal throne in 1623, as Pope Urban VIII . Their urban palace, the Palazzo Barberini , completed in 1633 by Bernini , today houses Italy's Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica (National Gallery of Ancient Art). The Barberini family
166-616: A conclave to elect a new pope . Cardinals are appointed by the pope for life but eligibility to vote ceases at the age of 80. Since the emergence of the College of Cardinals in the Early Middle Ages , the size of the body has historically been limited by popes , ecumenical councils ratified by the pope, and even the college itself. The total number of cardinals from 1099 to 1986 has been about 2,900 (excluding possible undocumented 12th-century cardinals and pseudocardinals appointed during
249-596: A considerable time, two great factions, or associations of families. The Orsini , Cesarini , Borghese , Aldobrandini , Ludovisi , and Giustiniani were with the Pamphili ; while opposed to them, was the house of Colonna and the Barberini . Popes commonly elevated members of prominent families to the position of Cardinal ; especially second and third sons who would not otherwise inherit hereditary titles. Popes also elevated their own family members – especially nephews – to
332-552: A high court ruling in 1967 definitively established that the heraldic-nobiliary legislation of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) is not current law, the title of the head of the noble family is still accorded to all descendants as courtesy titles . The southern kingdoms of Naples, Sicily, and Sardinia, as well as the Papal states, granted titles as in monarchies such as Spain, France, or England: duke, marquis, count, baron. The title of viscount
415-679: A high of 135 in February 2001 and again in October 2003. Three of Pope Benedict XVI 's five consistories resulted in more than 120 cardinal electors, the high being 125 in 2012. Pope Francis has exceeded the limit in all nine of his consistories , reaching as high as 137 in September 2023. Other changes to the college in the 20th century affected specific orders. The 1917 Code of Canon Law decreed that from then on only those who were priests or bishops could be chosen as cardinals, thus officially closing
498-526: A limit of 26 and complained about the size and quality of the college to his legates to the Council of Trent , and some French attendees advocated a limit of 24, that council did not prescribe a limit to the size of the college. By the papacy of Sixtus V (1585–1590), the number was set at seventy on 3 December 1586, divided among fourteen cardinal-deacons, fifty cardinal-priests, and six cardinal-bishops. Popes respected that limit until Pope John XXIII increased
581-576: A niece of Pope Innocent. Maffeo was given his father's former title, that of Prince of Palestrina . Taddeo's older son Carlo Barberini was made a cardinal by Pope Innocent X. Taddeo's daughter, Lucrezia Barberini , married Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena (who had previously sided with the Farnese during the First War of Castro), further stabilizing relations. The 1627 marriage of Taddeo Barberini and Anna Colonna , daughter of Filippo I Colonna began
664-647: A number of titles borne by families in the pre-unification states (Two Sicilies, Papal State, etc.) still had not been matriculated by the Consulta Araldica . College of Cardinals God Schools Relations with: The College of Cardinals , more formally called the Sacred College of Cardinals , is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church . As of 25 November 2024, there are 232 cardinals , of whom 120 are eligible to vote in
747-449: A papal relative. Families that had previously been limited to agricultural or mercantile ventures found themselves, sometimes within only one or two generations, elevated to the Roman nobility when a relative was elected to the papal throne. Modern Italy is dotted with the fruits of their success – various family palazzi stand today as a testament to their sometimes meteoric rise to power. In
830-589: A peace accord was signed. Despite Urban's appointment of several relatives as cardinals, the College of Cardinals elected Pope Innocent X of the Pamphili family. Almost immediately, Innocent X launched an investigation into the conduct of various members of the Barberini family during the wars. The three nephews who had risen to prominence under their uncle Pope Urban VIII , cardinals Antonio and Francesco and Prince Taddeo were forced into exile and fled to Paris under
913-541: A relatively rare phenomenon. Between 1791 and 2018, only one was removed from the college – Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne in 1791 – and five resigned: Tommaso Antici in 1798, Marino Carafa di Belevedere in 1807, Carlo Odescalchi in 1838, Louis Billot in 1927, and Theodore Edgar McCarrick in 2018. For the Middle Ages , sources concerning the size of the College of Cardinals are most frequently those relating to papal elections and conclaves . A function of
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#1732845364181996-560: A sign of distinction between the nobility granted "to the Milanese by their duke" and that granted by "foreigners". The Venetian Patriciate was one of the three social bodies into which the society of the Republic of Venice was divided, together with citizens and foreigners. Patrizio was the noble title of the members of the aristocracy ruling the city of Venice and the Republic. The title
1079-548: A son, Maffeo Callisto Barberini in 1688 before any one of his three marriages. The will of Urbano Barberini's last wife, Maria Teresa Boncompagni, makes mention of this Maffeo Callisto as the Marquis of Corese. A large portion of the Barberini estate was left for him in her will. Later her progeny came into conflict with his over claims to the Barberini estate but the quarrel was settled with an agreement signed in Paris in 1811 which divided
1162-508: A uniform nobiliary law, was created, including male succession (although it was possible for ancient titles to be transferred to an heir in the female line by royal authority), and some acknowledgement was made by the King of Italy of titles conferred by Francis II of the Two Sicilies in exile by making new grants in the same name. Those nobles who maintained allegiance to the pope became known as
1245-541: Is created a cardinal would no longer be assigned a titular church in Rome, but maintain his see and join the order of cardinal bishops, the rank previously reserved to the six cardinals assigned to the suburbicarian dioceses . He also required that the suburbicarian bishops elect one of themselves as the Dean and Vice-Dean of the college, instead of allowing them to select any member of the college. In June 2018, Pope Francis eased
1328-471: Is estimated that during Urban's reign, the Barberini amassed 105 million scudi in personal wealth. When the pope removed the ancient bronze beams from the portico of the Pantheon to procure bronze for the baldachin of St. Peter's Basilica and for the papal cannon foundry, an anonymous critic punningly wrote: Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini This translates to "What the barbarians did not do,
1411-452: Is now represented by Benedetto Francesco Barberini, Prince of Palestrina (born 1961), whose heir is his eldest son. The Palazzo Barberini, the Barberini library (now a core section of the Vatican's Biblioteca Apostolica ), and the many buildings, altars, and other projects spread across Rome (and marked with the heraldic three bees) give evidence of the family's wealth, taste and magnificence in
1494-572: The Black Nobility . After the unification of Italy, its kings continued to create titles of nobility for eminent Italians, this time valid for all Italian territory. For example, General Enrico Cialdini was created Duca di Gaeta for his role during unification. The practice continued until the 20th century, when nominations would be made by the Prime Minister of Italy and approved by the Crown. In
1577-485: The Camera Apostolica for operating a business while holding church office but his relatives successfully appealed to the head of the organization Francesco had, himself, once directed. The continuation of Barberini's business fell to his nephews (the sons of his brother, Antonio Barberini, who had died in 1571) including Maffeo Barberini. The Barberini acquired great wealth and influence when Cardinal Maffeo Barberini
1660-576: The Kingdom of Italy , whose origins may be traced to the 11th century AD. The Romans , Byzantines and Saracens exported different elements of their aristocratic structures to the island of Sicily , however, it was not until the Norman invasion of 1061, led by Roger I de Hauteville , that the Sicilian aristocracy and feudal system took root. Over the centuries, established noble families were advanced through
1743-697: The Liber Pontificalis is in the biography of Pope Stephen III when in the Roman Synod of 769, it was decided that the Roman pontiff should be elected from among the deacons and cardinal priests." In 845 the Council of Meaux–Paris "required Bishops to establish Cardinal titles or parishes in their towns and outlining districts". At the same time, the popes began referring to the cardinal priests of Rome to serve as legates and delegates within Rome at ceremonies, synods, councils, etc., as well as abroad on diplomatic missions and councils. Those who were assigned to
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#17328453641811826-569: The Risorgimento on 17 March 1861, when most of the states of the peninsula and Kingdom of the Two Sicilies were united under King Victor Emmanuel II of the Savoy dynasty, hitherto monarch of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which included Piedmont . The architect of Italian unification was Count Camillo Benso di Cavour , the Chief Minister of Victor Emmanuel. Rome itself remained for a further decade under
1909-505: The Western Schism by pontiffs now considered to be antipopes , and subject to some other sources of uncertainty), nearly half of whom were created after 1655. The word cardinal is derived from the Latin cardō , meaning "hinge". The office of cardinal as it is known today slowly evolved during the first millennium from the clergy of Rome. "The first time that the term cardinal appears in
1992-560: The election of a family member as Pope or were elevated into the ranks of nobility through ecclesiastical promotion. These families freely intermarried with aristocratic nobility. Like other noble families, those with both papal power and money were able to purchase comunes or other tracts of land and elevate family patriarchs and other relatives to noble titles. Hereditary patriarchs were appointed Duke , Marquis and even Prince of various 16th and 17th century principalities . According to Ranke: Under Innocent X there existed, for
2075-549: The "new" noble homelands: Sansepolcro , San Miniato , Livorno , Pescia and Prato . Overall, the Florentine nobility was divided into feudal, senatorial and priority. In Milan , the first officially drawn up list of nobility was the " Matricula nobilium familiarum Mediolani" by Ottone Visconti , dated 20 April 1377, in which, however, only the noble Milanese families who helped the Visconti family in their seizure of power over
2158-435: The 16th and 17th century Barberini ( hereditary patriarchy of the family is indicated by the colored squares ). Nobility of Italy Nobles had a specific legal status and held most of the wealth and various privileges denied to other classes, mainly politicians. In most of the former Italian pre-unification states, it was the only class that had access to high-level government positions. They also practically monopolized
2241-405: The 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Italy was home to a myriad of noble families that had risen to prominence via judicial appointment, election to the various regional senates or appointment to Catholic Church office. There were also families which had been part of Italian nobility for many decades or even centuries. Writing in the 19th century, Leopold von Ranke recorded: In the middle of
2324-407: The 17th century there were computed to be fifty noble families in Rome of three hundred years' standing, thirty-five of two hundred, and sixteen of one hundred years. None were permitted to claim a more ancient descent, or were generally traced to an obscure, or even a low origin. The Sicilian nobility was a privileged hereditary class in the Kingdom of Sicily , the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and
2407-581: The Barberini did". The pope erected a tablet proudly proclaiming his re-use of these hidden beams for the glory and defense of the church. The Barberini participated extensively in the First War of Castro . The conflict began when Odoardo Farnese , Duke of Parma and Piacenza , visited Rome and insulted the pope's nephews by suggesting the brothers were too young to manage the Pope's affairs. The war produced no clear victor, and Pope Urban died in 1644, only months after
2490-438: The Barberini of their assets. The Pope agreed and, though he paid some debts out of the Barberini estate, left the Barberini alone. In Paris, they relied on the hospitality of Louis XIV , King of France, until 1653 when most of the family finally returned to Rome. Though Taddeo died in exile in 1647, his brothers eventually reconciled with the papacy through the marriage of Taddeo's younger son Maffeo with Olimpia Giustiniani ,
2573-519: The French seigneur , a title introduced into Italy by the 11th century Normans), vassalli ( vassals ) or cavalieri (knights). Eventually, this class came to be known collectively as the baroni (barons); in Italy barone was not always a title descriptive of a particular feudal rank. During the 14th century, most minor feudal lands became baronies, their holders barons. It must be observed that
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2656-527: The Papacy, and became part of the Kingdom of Italy only in 1870. In September of that year, invading Italian troops entered the Papal state, and the ensuing occupation forced Pope Pius IX to his palace where he declared himself a prisoner in the Vatican, as did his successors, until the Lateran Pacts of 1929. Under the united Kingdom of Italy a new national nobility, an attempt (not wholly successful) to impose
2739-502: The Republic was in fact ruled as an oligarchy by about 20 to 30 families of Venice's urban nobility, who elected the Doge , held political and military offices and directly participated in the daily governing of the state. They were predominantly merchants , with their main source of income being trade with the East and other entrepreneurial activities, on which they became incredibly wealthy. Some of
2822-629: The aftermath of the First World War , most Italians who were ennobled received their titles through the patronage of the Mussolini government. Examples include General Armando Diaz ( Duca della Vittoria ), Admiral Paolo Thaon di Revel ( Duca del Mare ), Commodore Luigi Rizzo ( Conte di Grado e di Premuda ), Costanzo Ciano ( Conte di Cortellazzo i Buccari ), Dino Grandi ( Conte di Mordano ) and Cesare Maria de Vecchi ( Conte di Val Cismon ). Many of these were victory titles for services rendered to
2905-529: The age limit, which was set for the first time in 1970 by Pope Paul VI at 80. The college has no ruling power except during the sede vacante (papal vacancy) period, and even then its powers are extremely limited by the terms of the current law, which is laid down in the Apostolic constitution Universi Dominici gregis (1996) and the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State . Historically, cardinals were
2988-491: The age of 80 before the day the see becomes vacant are not eligible to vote. Canon law sets the general qualifications for a man to be appointed bishop quite broadly, requiring someone of faith and good reputation, at least thirty-five years old and with a certain level of education and five years' experience as a priest. The cardinals have nevertheless consistently elected the Bishop of Rome from among their own membership since
3071-564: The aristocratic ranks. By the 18th century, the titles principe , duca and marchese were held by many men whose ancestors, only several centuries earlier, had been barons and lords. Conte , signore and cavaliere are titles that have been used by the Sicilian nobility. Over the centuries many families emerged as landed aristocracy or nobility similar to the English gentry and peerage . During this period, throughout Italy various influential families came to positions of power through
3154-582: The beginning of the 12th century, the College of Cardinals started to meet as such, when the cardinal bishops, cardinal priests and cardinal deacons ceased acting as separate groups. In the Catholic church, the Dean of the College of Cardinals and the Cardinal Vice-Dean are the president and vice-president of the college. Both are elected by and from the cardinal bishops (cardinals of the highest order, including those holding suburbicarian dioceses ), but
3237-484: The case of the Republic of Genoa , through the Constitutional Reform and the laws of 1528, 1548 and 1575, an aristocratic republic was inaugurated, which would last until 1797. With the constitutional reform of 1528, belonging to a albergo became from optional to compulsory, effectively transforming the alberghi into lists of registration to the city nobility recognized by the government. The reform required that
3320-584: The century-long process which would eventually see the Barberini merge with the Colonna family . In 1728, the Carbognano branch (Colonna di Sciarra) of the Colonna family added the name Barberini to its family name when Giulio Cesare Colonna di Sciarra married Cornelia Barberini, daughter of Urbano Barberini , the last legitimate male Barberini heir. Though Urbano's wives bore him no legitimate male heirs, Urbano fathered
3403-425: The city was increasingly predisposed to become court nobility, in the direct service of the duke, especially in the field of arms and alliances for war purposes. These families, during this period, played a fundamental role in the politics of the territory, without ever completely outclassing the figure of the duke. Most of the Milanese patriciate is linked to this period, which in the following centuries will constitute
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3486-483: The clergy serving parishes of the city of Rome under its bishop , the pope. The college acquired particular importance following the crowning of Henry IV as King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor at the age of six, after the unexpected death of Henry III in 1056. Until then, the Holy See was often bitterly fought for among Rome's aristocratic families and external secular authorities had significant influence over who
3569-479: The college is to advise the pope about church matters when he summons them to an ordinary consistory , a term derived from the Roman Emperor 's crown council. It also attends various functions as a matter of protocol, for example, during the canonization process. It also convenes on the death or resignation of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor, but is then restricted to eligible Cardinals under
3652-451: The college to twenty members. In the ensuing century, increasing the size of the college became a method for the pope to raise funds for construction or war, cultivate European alliances, and dilute the strength of the college as a spiritual and political counterweight to papal supremacy. The conclave capitulation of the 1352 papal conclave limited the size of the college to twenty, and decreed that no new cardinals could be created until
3735-534: The creation of the Italian Republic in 1946. Although many titles still exist, they are used as a matter of social courtesy and are not recognised under the law. A limited number of noble titles granted by the pope were formally acknowledged according to Article 42 of the Lateran Treaty until its abrogation in 1985. Before the unification of Italy (1861) there were many members of the nobility in Italy. In
3818-706: The election requires papal confirmation. Except for presiding and delegating administrative tasks, they have no authority over the cardinals, acting as primus inter pares (first among equals). The Secretary of Roman Curia , the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church , the Vicar General of Rome , and the Patriarchs of Venice and Lisbon , are usually cardinals, with few, usually temporary, exceptions. The Fundamental Law of Vatican City State requires that appointees to
3901-423: The estate between the two claimant branches of the family. The Colonna line became extinct again on the death of Prince Enrico Barberini-Colonna and the name went to his daughter and heiress Maria and her husband Marquis Luigi Sacchetti, who received the title of Prince of Palestrina and permission to use the Barberini name. On 21 June 2005, Augusto Barberini, the 13th Prince of Palestrina, died in Rome. The family
3984-629: The existence of the Kingdom of Sardinia , the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (before 1816: the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily ), the Grand Duchy of Tuscany , the Duchy of Parma , the Duchy of Modena , the Duchy of Savoy , the Papal States and the Austrian Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia led to parallel nobilities with different traditions and rules. Modern Italy became a nation-state during
4067-603: The former being noted for traditionally electing the first Doge in 697 AD. The New houses were no less significant, as many became very prominent and important in influencing the history of the Republic of Venice . The families were furthermore divided into several other "categories", including Ducal houses (which gave Doges), Newest houses ( Case nuovissime ), Non-Venetian patricians, and "Houses made for money" (usually very wealthy landowning or bourgeoise families enriched through trade). Although there were numerous noble houses across Venice's home and overseas land possessions,
4150-416: The historical period in which some cardinals could be clergy who had only received first tonsure and minor order , or the major orders of deacon and subdeacon without a further ordination to the priesthood. In 1961 Pope John XXIII reserved to the pope the right to assign any member of college to one of the suburbicarian sees and the rank of cardinal bishop. Previously only the senior cardinal priest and
4233-689: The king of Italy for titles of nobility. For example, Marshal Pietro Badoglio was created Marchese del Sabotino and later Duke of Addis Abeba , while General Rodolfo Graziani became Marchese di Neghelli . In 1946, the Kingdom of Italy was replaced by a republic . Under the Italian Constitution adopted in 1948, titles of nobility, although still used as a courtesy, are not legally recognised. Certain predicati ( territorial designations ) recognised before 1922 may continue to be attached to surnames and used in legal documents. Often these were historic feudal territories of noble families. Although
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#17328453641814316-403: The latter roles were given the titles of Legatus a latere (Cardinal Legate) and Missus Specialis (Special Missions). During the pontificate of Stephen V (816–17), the three classes of the college that are present today began to form. Stephen decreed that all cardinal-bishops were bound to sing Mass on rotation at the high altar at St. Peter's Basilica , one per Sunday. The first class to form
4399-408: The lives of cardinals, did not consider the size of the college. In 1517 Pope Leo X added another thirty-one cardinals, bringing the total to sixty-five so that he could have a supportive majority in the College of Cardinals. Paul IV brought the total to seventy. His immediate successor, Pope Pius IV (1559–1565), raised the limit to seventy-six. Although Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor sought
4482-505: The most distinguished positions in the city-states and in the Catholic Church for a long time. There were several different systems of nobility over time and in different regions. From the Middle Ages until March 1861, Italy was not a single country. It was a region consisting of a number of separate kingdoms and other states, with many reigning dynasties . These were often related by marriage to each other and to other European royal families. Recognition of Italian nobility ceased with
4565-580: The most important families, who dominated the politics and the history of the state, include those such as the Contarini , Cornaro , Dandolo , Giustiniani , Loredan , Mocenigo , Arellano , Morosini and the Venier families. In the years preceding the political and social movement that resulted in the consolidation of different states of the Italian Peninsula into a single state, the Kingdom of Italy ,
4648-565: The municipality of Milan were listed, therefore considered the most faithful and ancient nobility in the future lifetime of the city. From 5 September 1395 the Dukes of Milan officially obtained the right to grant nobility to as many nobles as there were, consistent with the recognition of the Duchy of Milan . During the whole ducal period, first of the Visconti and then of the Sforza , the nobility residing in
4731-470: The nation in the Great War. The writer and aviator Gabriele d'Annunzio was created Principe di Montenevoso in 1924, and the physicist, inventor, and Nobel laureate Guglielmo Marconi was also ennobled in 1924 as Marchese Marconi . In 1937, Ettore Tolomei was ennobled as Conte della Vetta . When Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli became Pope in 1939, Mussolini had the title of Principe posthumously bestowed on
4814-503: The nepotism the pope practised. Urban's contemporary, John Bargrave , wrote: Upon his elevation, his kindred flew from Florence to Rome like so many bees (which are the Barberini's arms), to suck the honey of the Church, which they did excessively. Likewise, the War of Castro , toward the end of Urban's papacy, sullied Urban's reputation and the popularity of those family members who survived him. It
4897-541: The new Pontiff's brother Francesco Pacelli , who had already been made a Marchese by the Holy See during his lifetime. In 1929, the Lateran Treaty acknowledged all Papal titles created before that date and undertook to give unquestioned recognition to titles conferred by the Holy See on Italian citizens in the future. After the successful Italian invasion of Abyssinia , the Mussolini government recommended some Italians to
4980-408: The number of cardinal electors to its full complement of 120. All of Paul's successors have at times exceeded the 120 maximum (except for Pope John Paul I , who did not hold any consistory during his very short pontificate). Pope John Paul II reiterated the 120 maximum in 1996, yet his appointments to the college resulted in more than 120 cardinal electors on 4 of his nine consistories , reaching
5063-552: The number of cardinals several times to 88 in January 1961 and Pope Paul VI continued this expansion, reaching 134 at his third consistory in April 1969. The total size of the college lost its significance when Paul VI decided to allow only cardinals under the age of 80 to vote in a conclave from 1971 onward. Then, in 1975, Paul set the maximum number of those under 80, the cardinal electors, at 120. His next consistory in 1976 brought
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#17328453641815146-520: The other Italian states, the Consulta Araldica (the Italian college of arms) integrated these different and varied systems into the hierarchy described below. The official ranks under the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) were: This hierarchy resulted from the overlapping of titles granted by the pre-unification states, though these were different from each other. By 1946, with abolition of the monarchy,
5229-471: The papacy, a requirement that has since lapsed. In 1130, under Innocent II , all the classes were permitted to take part in papal elections; up to this point, only cardinal-bishops had this role. From the 13th to 15th centuries, the size of the College of Cardinals never exceeded thirty, although there were more than thirty parishes and diaconal districts which could potentially have a titular holder; Pope John XXII (1316–1334) formalized this norm by limiting
5312-527: The protection of Cardinal Mazarin . Antonio and Taddeo left first, by sea, but not before hanging the French coat of arms above the door of the Palazzo Barberini to confirm they were under the protection of France. Francesco joined his brothers soon after. Taddeo's wife, Anna Colonna also joined her husband and children in Paris but not before making a passionate appeal (in person) to the Pope, urging him not to strip
5395-729: The return to power of the Medici , Antonio grew weary of Medici rule and left Florence in 1537 to oversee Barberini business in Rome . In 1552, Carlo's son Francesco followed his uncle to Rome and business flourished. Francesco became a very rich man and bought several high offices within government and the Catholic church . In 1559, his uncle Antonio was murdered by forces loyal to the Medici. Francesco continued to build his fortune and amass titles until he died in 1600. Ordinarily, his estate would have been "fined" by
5478-424: The rules governing the rank of cardinal bishop to open that rank to anyone of the pope's choosing, granting such cardinals the same privileges as those assigned suburbicarian sees. Pope Francis adjusted the rules regarding the Dean in December 2019, so they now serve for a term of five years which can be renewed by the Pope. No change was made regarding the Vice-Dean. The resignation or removal of members has been
5561-425: The senior cardinal deacon had the privilege of requesting such an appointment ( jus optionis ) when a vacancy occurred. In 1962 he established that all cardinals should be bishops, ending the identification of the order of cardinal deacon with cardinals who were not bishops. He consecrated the twelve non-bishop members of the college himself. In February 1965, Pope Paul VI decided that an Eastern Rite Patriarch who
5644-400: The seventeenth century. The family commissioned many artists, such as Lorenzo Ottoni , to undertake various Barberini-centric projects. The family were also important early patrons of opera, maintaining "star" singers like Marc'Antonio Pasqualini on payroll, and building the private Teatro delle Quattro Fontane . Many objects from the Barberini art collections are scattered in museums around
5727-624: The size of the college had dropped to 16; however, Pope Innocent VI declared the capitulation invalid the following year. By the end of the 14th century, the practice of having solely Italian cardinals had ceased. Between the 14th and 17th centuries, there was much struggle for the college between the cardinals and the reigning popes. Although some popes increased the number of cardinals in order to guarantee allies, Pope Benedict XII often refused to do so and created six new cardinals on only one occasion, in 1338. The Council of Basel (1431–1437, later transferred to Ferrara and then Florence) limited
5810-403: The size of the college to 24, as did the capitulation of the 1464 papal conclave . The capitulations of the 1484 ( Pope Innocent VIII ) and 1513 ( Pope Leo X ) conclaves contained the same restriction. The capitulation of the 1492 papal conclave also contained a restriction on the creation of new cardinals. The Fifth Council of the Lateran (1512–1517), despite its detailed regulation of
5893-453: The special position of Cardinal-Nephew . Prominent families could purchase curial offices for their sons and regularly did, hoping that the son would rise through Church ranks to become a Bishop or a Cardinal, from which position they could dispense further titles and positions of authority to other family members. The period was famous for papal nepotism and many families, such as the Barberini and Pamphili, benefited greatly from having
5976-477: The state's legislative body , the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State , be cardinals. Under the terms of Pope Paul VI 's 1970 motu proprio Ingravescentem aetatem , cardinals who reached the age of 80 before a conclave opened had no vote in papal elections. Pope John Paul II 's Universi Dominici gregis of 22 February 1996 modified that rule slightly, so that cardinals who have reached
6059-515: The use of these titles usually required some form of sovereign award or feudal tenure. During the Renaissance, noble families conquered most of the Italian city-states except the republics of Venice, Genoa , Lucca , San Marino and Ragusa . Until 1806, parts of the present-day Italy formed the Kingdom of Italy, belonging to the Holy Roman Empire . When in 1861 the king of Sardinia annexed
6142-418: The wealthiest citizens who owned six or more houses should originate a distinct albergo. On that occasion, it was decided to establish a single Order of noble citizens, otherwise known as Old Nobles, divided into twenty-three old and already existing alberghi and five new ones were created for the occasion. These associations were to prevent the resurgence of ancient hostilities and protect the wealth and power of
6225-496: The wealthiest families. The Florentine , and later Tuscan nobility distinguished itself in the two classes of Patricians, recognized as noble since before 1532, belonging to the Order of Saint Stephen , and residing only in the ancient noble homelands: Florence , Siena , Pisa , Pistoia , Arezzo , Volterra , Montepulciano and Cortona . And of the nobles, simple nobility, civic nobility, senators and commanders, with residence of
6308-519: The world including: A nucleus remains in the hands of the family, as well as in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica , which occupies part of the Palazzo Barberini in Rome. The cultural influence of the dynasty was considerable, and provided the subject for a major international conference in December 2004 (and subsequent publication), entitled I Barberini e la Cultura Europea . Family tree of
6391-434: Was abbreviated, in front of the name, by the initials N.H. ( Nobil Homo ), together with the feminine variant N.D. ( Nobildonna ). Holding the title of a Venetian patrician was a great honour and many European kings and princes, as well as foreign noble families, are known to have asked for and obtained the prestigious title. The noble houses were primarily divided into Old ( Case vecchie ) and New houses ( Case nuove ), with
6474-610: Was elected to the papal throne in 1623, taking the name Pope Urban VIII . He elevated a brother Antonio Marcello Barberini (Antonio the Elder) and two nephews, Francesco Barberini and Antonio Barberini , to the cardinalate. He made another brother Duke of Monterotondo , and gave a third nephew, Taddeo Barberini , the principality of Palestrina . Taddeo was also made Gonfalonier of the Church , Prefect of Rome and Commander of Sant'Angelo . The ecclesiastical, diplomatic, and cultural accomplishments of Urban's reign were overshadowed by
6557-491: Was not, however, as frequent in Italy as elsewhere. Joseph Bonaparte conferred the title "prince" to be hereditary on his children and grandchildren. Often, Italian comunes (also in the Kingdom of Naples ) and republics granted or recognised the title of Patrician (post-Roman Europe) The Republic of Venice also granted feudal titles. In the Middle Ages: The majority of feudatories were simply signori (from
6640-587: Was originally a family of minor nobility from the Tuscan town of Barberino Val d'Elsa , who settled in Florence during the early part of the 11th century. Carlo Barberini (1488–1566) and his brother Antonio Barberini (1494–1559) were successful Florentine grain, wool and textile merchants. In 1530 Antonio participated in the defense of the Florentine Republic but after the capture of the city by Imperial troops, and
6723-592: Was part of a larger power struggle, which became known as the Investiture Controversy , as the Church and the Emperor each attempted to gain more control over the appointment of bishops, and in doing so wield more influence in the lands and governments they were appointed to. Reserving to the cardinals the election of the pope represented a significant shift in the balance of power in the Early Medieval world. From
6806-515: Was that of the cardinal-deacons, direct theological descendants of the original seven ordained in Acts 6, followed by the cardinal-priests, and finally, the cardinal-bishops. The college played an integral part in various reforms within the Church as well, as early as the pontificate of Pope Leo IX (1050). In the 12th century, the Third Lateran Council declared that only Cardinals could assume
6889-537: Was to be appointed pope, and the Holy Roman Emperor in particular had the special power to appoint him. This was significant as the aims and views of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Church did not always coincide. Churchmen involved in what has become known as the Gregorian Reform took advantage of the new king's lack of power and in 1059 reserved the election of the pope to the clergy of the Church in Rome. This
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