LITTA, ALFONSO

LITTA, ALFONSO. – A Milanese patrician of the Litta-Visconti-Arese family. Archbishop of Milan from May 1652; cardinal from 15 February 1666. He took great care to ensure the observance and integrity of the Ambrosian rite and the education of the clergy. He visited the diocese and held two Synods, the first in 1658 and the second in 1669. He promoted the continuation of the construction of the Collegio Elvetico in Milan, conceived by s. Carlo Borromeo. He regulated the conflict that had arisen between the rectors of the Seminary and the Collegio Elvetico and their respective prefects of studies concerning the conferral of degrees, granting the latter the right to be their sponsors or promoters (decree of 27 February 1673). He issued various decrees to remedy disciplinary disorders. Cardinal L. is credited with establishing the Accademia degli Hypheliomachi (fighters beneath the sun), whose emblem was Apollo, intent on combating heresy. But it appears that this Academy was founded only slightly earlier. He took part in the Conclave for the election of Pope Innocent XI and died in Rome at that time, on 28 August 1679.