Alexander VII
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Pope Alexander VII |
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| Bishop of Rome | |
Portrait by Giovanni Battista Gaulli
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| Papacy began | 7 April 1655 |
| Papacy ended | 22 May 1667 |
| Predecessor | Innocent X |
| Successor | Clement IX |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 1634 |
| Consecration | 1 July 1635 by Miguel Juan Balaguer Camarasa |
| Created Cardinal | 19 February 1652 by Innocent X |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Fabio Chigi |
| Born |
13 February 1599 Siena, Grand Duchy of Tuscany |
| Died | 22 May 1667 (aged 68) Rome, Papal States |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | Montium custos ("Mountain guardian") |
| Coat of arms |  |
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Papal styles of Pope Alexander VII |
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| Reference style | His Holiness |
| Spoken style | Sanct(issim)e Pater |
| Religious style | Holy Father |
| Posthumous style | None |
Pope Alexander VII (13 February 1599 – 22 May 1667), born Fabio Chigi, was pope from 7 April 1655 to his death in 1667.
He began his career as a vice-papal legate, and he held various diplomatic positions in the Holy See. He was ordained as a priest in 1634, and he became Bishop of Nardo in 1635. He was later transferred in 1652, and he became Bishop of Imola. Pope Innocent X made him Secretary of State in 1651, and in 1652, he was appointed as a Cardinal.
Early in his papacy, Alexander, who was seen as anti-Nepotist at the time of his election, lived simply; later, however, he gave jobs to his relatives, who eventually overtook his administration.
His administration worked to support the Jesuits. However, his administration's relations with France were strained due to his frictions with French diplomats.
Alexander was interested in architecture and supported various urban projects in Rome. He also wrote poetry and patronized artists who expanded the decoration of churches. His theological writings included discussions of heliocentrism and the Immaculate Conception.
Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V (1605–1621), Fabio Chigi was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from the University of Siena.
Fabio's elder brother, Mario, married Berenice, the daughter of Tiberio della Ciala, producing four children, of whom two survived: Agnes and Flavio. Flavio (1631-1693) was created cardinal by his uncle on April 9, 1657. His brother, Augusto Chigi (1595-1651), married Olimpia della Ciaia (1614-1640) and continued the family line as the parents of Agostino Chigi, Prince Farnese. Fabio's sister Onorata Mignanelli married Firmano Bichi; their son Antonio was named Bishop of Montalcino (1652-1656) and then Osimo (1656-1659), and was named a cardinal by his Uncle Alexander VII (in pectore) on April 9, 1657 (made public on 10 November 1659).
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