OSSAT, ARNAUD d'. - French cardinal and diplomat, b. at Larroque-en-Magnoac on 20 Aug. 1537, d. at Rome on 13 Mar. 1604. In 1574 he accompanied Cardinal Paolo de Foix to Rome as his secretary, and after the latter’s death (1584) he served as secretary to the French cardinal protectors Ippolito d’Este and Francesco Joyeuse, as well as chargé d’affaires for France. He handled before Clement VIII the matter of the absolution and recognition of Henry IV of Bourbon as king.
With extreme prudence, he managed to thwart Spanish intrigues, overcome the reluctance of many cardinals who adhered to Spain, and convince the Pope of the sincerity of the Bourbon’s conversion. Officially accredited with J. Daty Du Perron for the final negotiations (July 1595), and having agreed upon the clauses and wording of the absolution, he secured recognition of Henry IV’s legitimacy to the throne (30 Aug.), and in the king’s name made public abjuration, receiving the Pope’s absolution (17 Sept.). In reward for his services, he was named Bishop of Rennes (1596), then transferred to the see of Bayeux (1600), and created cardinal (3 Mar. 1599), though he remained in Rome as his sovereign’s representative. His copious correspondence reveals him as a great diplomat, marked by shrewdness and psychological insight, combined with great selflessness and zeal for the Church and his country.