Lucio Paolo Gigli

Lucio Paolo Gigli (1 Mar.2108, Lanuvio-12 Dec.2195, Teverina) is a cardinal and politician.

## Personal details

### Born

1 March 2108, Lanuvio, Summonte, Second Empire

### Died

12 December 2195, Teverina, Summonte, First Confederate

### Resting place

Basilica San Gaetano e Giuseppe, Teverina

## Early life

Second son of Lucrezio Gigli, a notary and former merchant who was involved in metal trade (2075-2149), and Paola Zanoli(2081-2170), who ran a tavern, he was born in Lanuvio, a small town near Teverina, which soon became a small industrial center. Lucrezio had modest success in manufacturing, but later went to Teverina as a notary.

Showed some talent since childhood, his parents sent him to Teverina in 2119 to study in the seminary, accompanied by a younger brother (Antonio Gigli, who became an abbot and died in 2160). After completing his legal studies, he entered the curial administration, and was sent to Rossano as vice-legate in 2138, while the legate was Pietro Antonio Cesi, who became pope in 2140. His tutor, Alessandro Fagnani, was elevated to cardinal in that year, and he was named his secretary.

## Under Pope Cesi

He certainly found higher patrons and made friends in curia. After exercising minor posts, he became a *votante* of Signatura (which make him automatically a judge of particular cases in high court of Summonte) and won the esteem of pope. He was secretary then auditor of cardinal Federico Cesi, and from 2148 secertary of Buon Governo, then Consulta in 2150. He was named prefect of papal household in 2152. Pope tried to make him sub-secretary of state later, but met much opposition, especially from cardinals Strozzi and Campbell. In October 2152 he was made a cardinal, unexpected by many (even him). He was acceptable to prime minister Orhanoglu (although the latter resigned two weeks earlier) and the emperor.

## Career, and clash with Lopez

He was named secretary of state initially, and cooperated with the arbitrary pope through his subtle flattering and prudent move. However, the post was reassigned to the cardinal-nephew F.Cesi, and he was named extraordinary legate to Citadel, when prime minister Lopez tried to build his own power at (partially, the church) someone's expense. He was suggested to be obedient to the instruction by secretary of state--which is often the instruction of the pope himself. He met little success in Citadel, albeit he managed to develop personal friendship with the emperor. Lopez had him blocked from meetings, and he returned to Teverina, humiliated, in December 2154. The downfall of Lopez did not help him from disgrace, but he still managed to participate in the papal government.

## Conclave of 2159, and career in Citadel

He is not a serious candidate in the 2159 conclave, but he certainly tried to build a good memory to other cardinals. His pastoral work began intensively after he was appointed vicar general of Teverina since 2157. In late 2160 he went to Citadel and resigned the curial post, in order to ran for the senatorial seat of Lanuvio. An ardent benefactor to his hometown, he was elected in 2161, and named vice-home secretary, a post he remained until 2163, when he became home secretary. After the election of Leo XXXIV, he resigned in June 2164, and went back to Teverina. The pope sent him to negotiate with the prime minister, which he succeeded in some scale. Named prefect of bishops and regulars, he was named vicar general again in 2166.

## Later life

His later life was concentrated on pastoral duties, and poured money into religious orders and art. A possible candidate in 2168 and 2179 conclaves, his candidature was never solid. Named viceroy of Summonte in 2176, he declined the post, but went to Citadel in 2178 as a possible advisor. He seldom left his palace in Teverina after 2179, and was rumored to be living in seclusion. However he did not cease to embellish his houses and villas. Cardinal-bishop of Tusculani since 2184, he became sub-dean of college of cardinals and bishop of Ladispoli in 2185 until his death ten years later in Teverina. He left his heirs, count Gigli of Lanuvio, a huge amount of money.