Scipione Cobelluzzi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scipione Cobelluzzi |
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| Cardinal-Priest of Santa Susanna | |
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| Church | Santa Susanna |
| Diocese | Rome |
| Appointed | 17 October 1616 |
| Other posts | Librarian of Vatican Library |
| Orders | |
| Created Cardinal | 19 September 1616 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1564 Viterbo, Papal States |
| Died | 29 June 1626 (aged 61–62) Rome, Papal States |
| Buried | Santa Susanna Church, Rome |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Alma mater | Sapienza University of Rome |
Scipione Cobelluzzi (born 1564 – died 29 June 1626) was an important Italian cardinal. A cardinal is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church. He was also a skilled archivist and librarian.
Cobelluzzi served as the main archivist for the Vatican Secret Archives. This is a huge collection of important historical documents. He held this role from 1618 until his death in 1626.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Scipione Cobelluzzi was born in Viterbo, a city in what was then called the Papal States. He came from a family that was quite well-off. His father was a pharmacist. On the very day Scipione was born, his father became a conservatore (a type of local magistrate or official) in Viterbo.
Scipione received a good education in Rome. He studied with the Jesuits at a school called 'Collegio Nardini'. He also learned Greek privately from a teacher named Niccolò Alemanni. He continued his studies at the Archgymnasium of Rome.
He earned a special degree called "Doctor of both laws" from the Sapienza University of Rome. This means he was an expert in both civil law (laws for everyday life) and canon law (church laws). Some other cardinals were also part of his family, including Girolamo Bernerio.
Early Career Steps
Cobelluzzi started his career working for Alessandro Gloriero. Gloriero was in charge of the Annona, which managed the food supply for Rome. After that, Scipione became a secretary for Cardinal Girolamo Bernerio.
In 1609, he took on the role of Secretary of Briefs. This job involved writing important official letters for the Pope. He also taught law at the university.
Even though his own writings have not survived, Scipione Cobelluzzi was known for being very educated and a great speaker.
Rise to Cardinal
Scipione Cobelluzzi became a domestic secretary for Pope Paul V. This was a very close and important position. In 1611, the Pope gave him a role in the Papal Curia. The Papal Curia is like the government of the Catholic Church.
In 1615, he became the custodian of the Archive of Castel Sant'Angelo. This was a fortress that also held important church records.
On October 17, 1616, he was named a Cardinal-Priest of Santa Susanna. This meant he was given a specific church in Rome to oversee as a cardinal. Then, on February 17, 1618, he was appointed Cardinal Librarian.
Important Roles and Projects
As Cardinal Librarian, Cobelluzzi oversaw the Vatican Library. In 1622, he directed Leo Allatius to go to Heidelberg. Allatius helped bring the important Palatine Library collection to the Vatican.
Cobelluzzi was also the Cardinal Archivist for the Vatican Secret Archives from 1618 to 1626. The word "Secret" in this name actually means "private" or "personal" to the Pope, not that the documents are hidden. It's a huge collection of historical records.
While he was a cardinal, his secretary was Vincenzo Gramigna. The Vatican library even has a record of an astrological prediction given to him in 1618.
Later Years and Influence
After Pope Paul V died in 1621, Cobelluzzi supported Scipione Borghese to become the next pope. This happened during a special meeting called a papal conclave. However, they later had disagreements.
Cobelluzzi was a member of the Inquisition. This was a church court that dealt with matters of faith. He was one of the cardinals who questioned Galileo when Galileo came to Rome.
He was also part of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. This group was created in 1622 to spread the Catholic faith. Cobelluzzi donated money to this group every year to help free prisoners held by the Turks.
In 1623, he was on a special group of cardinals. They advised the Pope on whether a marriage between the Prince of Wales (who would become Charles I of England) and Maria Anna of Spain should be allowed. The group recommended that the marriage be permitted.
Final Conclave and Death
After Pope Gregory XV died in 1623, Cobelluzzi took part in the conclave of 1623. He was considered a strong candidate to become the next pope himself. He was known as a "spiritual" man. However, Pope Urban VIII was elected instead.
While on a religious journey from Montecassino to Loreto, Cobelluzzi became very ill. He developed a serious infection in his arm. This illness led to his death in 1626.
He was buried in the Church of Santa Susanna in Rome, near the Baths of Diocletian. People respected him greatly for his writings and for helping to promote religious order. His tomb has a plaque that praises his good qualities and contributions. He left his belongings to the Jesuit College.
