RANUZZI, ANGELO MARIA. - Cardinal, b. at Bologna on 19 May 1626, d. at Fano on 27 Sept. 1689. While still very young he embarked upon an ecclesiastical career, took degrees in canon and civil law, and distinguished himself, by his learning and balance, in various delicate missions.
Appointed by Clement IX archbishop of Damietta in partibus, he began his diplomatic career as nuncio to the Duke of Savoy. He then went to the court of King Michael of Poland and subsequently, having been appointed bishop of Fano, was sent in 1683 by Innocent XI as nuncio to Louis XIV, charged with delivering the blessed bands for the Dauphin’s firstborn, but above all with preventing a rupture between France and the Emperor of Austria, in an attempt to form a powerful anti-Turkish league.
The high-handedness of Louis XIV, the question of the Gallican Articles, the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the provision of vacant bishoprics, the bombardment of Genoa (for which R. succeeded in obtaining from the King adequate compensation for the restoration of the churches struck), the dispute over the French embassy in Rome, etc., made the nunciature arduous; moreover, R. was subjected to police surveillance for a long period. Created cardinal on 2 Sept. 1686 and appointed archbishop of Bologna, on his return from Paris he d. at Fano.