BUSSI, Giovanni Battista. — Cardinal, of a noble family from Viterbo, born in 1656 in Viterbo, died in Rome in 1726. Pope Innocent XII, recognizing his profound learning and appreciating his priestly zeal displayed in Rome during a period of severe epidemic, appointed him internuncio to Flanders, which at that time was troubled by Calvinist and Jansenist theories. B. carried out an intelligent and energetic work there, succeeding in restoring a measure of calm among those populations. For these merits, he was appointed by Clement XI titular archbishop of Tarsus and, shortly afterward, sent to Cologne as nuncio to Lower Germany. In 1710 he was called to govern the diocese of Ancona, and three years later received the cardinal’s hat. Benedict XIII appointed him visitor of the basilica of Loreto.
