PIGNATELLI, FRANCESCO. - Cardinal, born in Naples on 6 February 1652 and died there on 5 December 1734. Of the dukes of Monteleone, he entered the Order of the Theatines at a very young age (1669); he taught philosophy and theology in Rome and Madrid. Archbishop of Taranto from 27 September 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 worked successfully for the return of the Ruthenians into the bosom of the Catholic Church, later founding in Lviv, to consolidate his work, a seminary dependent on the Congregation of Propaganda. Created archbishop of Naples on 18 February 1703, then cardinal on 17 December by Clement XI, he governed his diocese until his death with notable wisdom and energy. Under him the last diocesan Council was held (1726).

Bibliography5 works

BIBL.: M. Guarnacci, Vitae et res gestae Pontificum Romanorum et S. R. E. cardinalium a Clemente X usque ad Clementem XII, II, Rome 1731, coll. 41-44; A. F. Vezzoni, Scrittori dei chorici regolari detti Teatini, I, ibid. 1780; p. 71; D. M. Zingarelli, Biografia dei vescovi ed arcivescovi della Chiesa di Napoli, Naples 1861, pp. 206-15; M. Sterzi, G. V. Gravina agente in Roma di mons. G. F. Pignatelli, in Arch. della Soc. rom. di st. patria, 48 (1925), pp. 201-47; Pastor, XV, passim.

Francesco Natale

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Pignatelli, Francesco

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