FRANCESCO PIGNATELLI — Cardinal. Born in Naples on 6 Feb 1652 and died there on 5 Dec 1734. Of the dukes of Monteleone, he entered the Theatine Order at a very young age (1669); he taught philosophy and theology in Rome and Madrid. Archbishop of Taranto from 27 Sept 1683. Innocent XII sent him, in the summer of 1700, as apostolic nuncio to Poland, where he remained until 1703, during a very confused and difficult period.
He successfully worked for the return of the Ruthenians to the bosom of the Catholic Church, later founding in Lviv a seminary dependent on the Congregation of Propaganda to consolidate his work. Created archbishop of Naples on 18 Feb 1703, then cardinal on 17 Dec by Clement XI, he governed his diocese with notable wisdom and energy until his death. Under his leadership the last diocesan council was celebrated (1726).