Giacomo Altoviti (1604 – 18 May 1693) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Titular Patriarch of Antiochia (1667–1693), Apostolic Nuncio to Venice (1658–1666), and Titular Archbishop of Athenae (1658–1667).[1][2][3]

Most Reverend

Giacomo Altoviti
Titular Patriarch of Antiochia
ChurchCatholic Church
In office1667–1693
PredecessorFabio Lagonissa
SuccessorMichelangelo Mattei
Previous post(s)Titular Archbishop of Athenae (1658–1667)
Apostolic Nuncio to Venice (1658–1666)
Orders
Consecration11 August 1658
by Giulio Cesare Sacchetti
Personal details
Born1604
Died18 May 1693 (age 89)

Biography

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Giacomo Altoviti was born in 1604 in Florence. His father was Lorenzo Altoviti, a rich papal banker, Florentine senator and preferred nephew of his uncle cardinal Giovanni Bonsi. His father was also the brother of Francesca Sacchetti Altoviti, mother of the late cardinal Giulio Cesare Sacchetti and Marcelo Sacchetti, papal treasurer of Urban VIII.

Giacomo Altoviti attended the Roman seminary and became a close friend to Fabio Chigi. Giacomo Altoviti followed his friend when Fabio Chigi was appointed by Urban VIII papal legate to Ferrara and in Mata, when his friend and protector was sent there in 1635 as inquisitor and apostolic visitor. He also took part in Fabio Chigi appointment to the cardinalate, using his influence with his cousin cardinal Giulio Cesare Sacchetti, who had already had the opportunity to appreciate Chigi's talents and to conceive a profound esteem for him. Later the Altoviti and Sacchetti supported Fabio Chigi in the negotiations and conclave of that led to his election as Pope Alexander VII.[4]

Giacomo Altoviti career flourished. On 29 July 1658, he was appointed during the papacy of Pope Alexander VII as Titular Archbishop of Athenae.[1][3] On 11 August 1658, he was consecrated by his cousin Giulio Cesare Sacchetti, Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina.[3] On 21 September 1658, he was appointed during the papacy of Pope Alexander VII as Apostolic Nuncio to Venice.[3] He resigned as Apostolic Nuncio to Venice on 22 April 1666.[3] On 18 April 1667, he was appointed during the papacy of Pope Alexander VII as Titular Patriarch of Antiochia.[1][3]

He served as Titular Patriarch of Antiochia until his death on 18 May 1693.[3]

Episcopal succession

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Gauchat, Patritius (Patrice) (1935). HIERARCHIA CATHOLICA MEDII ET RECENTIORIS AEVI Vol IV. Münster: Libraria Regensbergiana. pp. 86 and 99. (in Latin)
  2. ^ Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1952). HIERARCHIA CATHOLICA MEDII ET RECENTIORIS AEVI Vol V. Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. p. 89. (in Latin)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Patriarch Giacomo Altoviti" Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved January 4, 2017
  4. ^ Sforza Pallavicino, Pietro (1839). Della vita di Alessandro VII. Prato. pp. 211–217.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Titular Archbishop of Athenae
1658–1667
Succeeded by
Preceded by Apostolic Nuncio to Venice
1658–1666
Succeeded by
Preceded by Titular Patriarch of Antiochia
1667–16
Succeeded by