AZZOLINI, DECIO. - Cardinal, b. at Fermo on 11 Apr. 1623, d. at Roma on 8 June 1689. Having graduated very young in philosophy, he went to Spain in the retinue of the nuncio Panciroli. Innocenzo X, in 1644, appointed him secretary of the cipher; when Panciroli died in 1651, A. assumed direction of the affairs of the Secretariat of State until the arrival of the bishop of Nardò Fabio Chigi, appointed secretary of State. After holding the office of secretary of briefs to princes, in 1654 he was created cardinal deacon of S. Adriano by Innocenzo X.
In the Conclave of 1655 he headed the so-called « squadrone volante », which intended to promote the election of a cardinal without submitting to the influence of France or Spain. He maintained this same firm and resolute attitude also in the subsequent conclaves in which he took part.
Clemente IX appointed him secretary of State; in 1668 A. opted for the diaconia of S. Eustachio. He subsequently became titular of S. Croce in Gerusalemme, S. Maria in Trastevere, and S. Prassede.
Of A. there are remembered his work on behalf of the Piceno college, which, through his intervention, received from Clemente IX the church of S. Salvatore in Lauro; the protection granted to the poet Francesco di Lemene; and his friendship with Cristina di Svezia, who called him the greatest of all cardinals, indeed of all men.