Cavalchini (Guidoboni), Carlo Alberto

CAVALCHINI (Guidoboni), Carlo Alberto. - Cardinal, b. at Tortona on 26 July 1683, d. at Rome on 7 March 1774. Having earned a degree in law, he was admitted to the college of Judges and Doctors at Milan. In 1716 he was appointed by Clement XI as consistorial advocate, and in 1725 by Benedict XIII as votante di Segnatura; Benedict XIV created him cardinal of S. Maria della Pace on 9 Sept. 1743 and then prefect of the S. Congregation of Bishops and Regulars. His vote for the beatification of Cardinal Robert Bellarmine, of whose cause he was the "ponente," remained famous (Relatio C. A. C. ponentis in causa beatif. Rob. card. Bellarmino, Rome 1753).

France placed a public exclusive against his election to the papacy in the Conclave of 1758, on the ground that he was considered one of the cardinals favorable to the Society of Jesus. This favor must, however, have cooled subsequently, as seems to have to be inferred from the fact that he patronized the beatification of Palafox and did not show himself opposed to the suppression of the Society. In the Conclave of 1769 his possible election was discussed; he consented to the election of Ganganelli. Bishop of Albano from 12 Febr. 1759, he became bishop of Ostia and dean on 16 May 1763. He was buried at the SS. Apostoli.