Pope Innocent XII

Pope Innocent XII (; 13 March 1615 – 27 September 1700), born Antonio Pignatelli, was an Italian cleric of the Roman Catholic Church and the 243rd Pope from 1691 to 1700. "List of Popes,"  Catholic Encyclopedia (2009); retrieved 2011-12-2.

Early life
Pignatelli was born at Spinazzola in Puglia. "Pope Innocent XII", Catholic Encyclopedia; retrieved 2011-12-2.

He was educated at the Jesuit college in Rome.

Pignatelli developed diplomatic experience when he was papal legate to Poland and to Austria.

He gained administrative experience when he was governor of Perugia.

Bishop
Piganatelli was made Bishop of Faenza in 1681.  Pope Innocent XI made him Archbishop of Naples in 1687.

 Cardinal
Pope Innocent XI raised Pignatelli to the rank of Cardinal in 1682.

Pope
Cardinal Pignatelli was elected pope on 12 July 1691; and he chose to be called Innocent XII.

In 1692, Innocent XII issued the papal bull Romanum decet Pontificem which banned the curial office of the cardinal-nephew.

Pope Innocent was involved in Italian and European political disputes.

In the Papal States, Innocent invested in public works.  For example, he caused the harbor of Porto d'Anzo to be constructed on the ruins of Antium.  Also, he constructed the aqueduct of Civitavecchia.

After his death
The tomb of Innocent XII at St. Peter's Basilica was sculpted by Filippo della Valle.

Related pages 
 List of popes

References

Other websites


  Catholic Hierarchy, Pope Innocent XII
  Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church ,  Cardinal Pignatellit 

Category:Italian popes
Category:1615 births
Category:1700 deaths