ARCHINTO, ALBERICO

ARCHINTO, Alberico. – Cardinal, b. in Milan 16 Nov. 1698, d. in Rome 30 Sept. 1758. He obtained his degree in law at the University of Pavia in 1722 and then entered the College of Jurists in Milan. He became abbot of S. Maria di Brera, of SS. Peter and Paul at Viboldone, and of SS. Peter and Calocero at Civitate. He accompanied his uncle Girolamo Archinto to Coronia. Coming to Rome in 1724, he was named referendary of the Signatures of Grace and Justice and subsequently apostolic notary. In 1730 he was appointed by Clement XII as vice-delegate in Bologna. Included among the ponentes of the Consulta, he was elected in 1739 archbishop of Nicaea and obtained the nunciature of Tuscany. Owing to disagreements between the apostolic nuncio and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Francis of Lorraine, concerning the Inquisition, A. was transferred in 1746 by Benedict XIV to the nunciature in Poland. Returning to Rome in 1754, he was named governor of the city. On 5 Apr. 1756 he was created cardinal and shortly thereafter was appointed Secretary of State and Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church. He was confirmed in this important office by Clement XIII, who succeeded Benedict XIV. He was buried in the basilica of S. Lorenzo in Damaso.