(Encyclopedia) Le Tellier, MichelLe Tellier, Michelmēshĕlˈ lə tĕlyāˈ [key], 1603–85, French statesman. A minister of state under Cardinal Mazarin, he became war minister in 1643. He later shared his…
(Encyclopedia) Langham, SimonLangham, Simonlăngˈəm [key], d. 1376, English prelate and statesman, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He ruled the abbey of Westminster with such skill that Edward…
U.S. Department of State Background Note Index: People and History Government and Institutions Foreign Relations U.S.-Holy See Relations PEOPLE AND HISTORYAlmost all of Vatican City's citizens…
(Encyclopedia) Pius XII, 1876–1958, pope (1939–58), an Italian named Eugenio Pacelli, b. Rome; successor of Pius XI. Ordained a priest in 1899, he entered the Vatican's secretariat of state. He…
(Encyclopedia) Aleandro, GirolamoAleandro, Girolamojērôˈlämō älāänˈdrō [key], 1480–1542, Italian scholar, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is also called Hieronymus Aleander. A principal in…
(Encyclopedia) Gaza, TheodoreGaza, Theodoregāˈzə, gäˈ– [key], c.1398–c.1478, Greek scholar, b. Salonica. When the Turks attacked Constantinople, he went to Italy, where he became one of the greatest…
(Encyclopedia) Medici, Ferdinand I de', 1549–1609, grand duke of Tuscany (1587–1609); brother and successor of Francesco de' Medici. He was made a cardinal in his youth, and he built the famous Villa…
(Encyclopedia) Montpellier, University of, at Montpellier, France; founded 1220 by Cardinal Conrad and confirmed by papal bull. The university was suppressed during the French Revolution and replaced…
(Encyclopedia) BorgheseBorghesebōrgāˈzā [key], Roman noble family, originally of Siena. It produced one pope, Paul V, several cardinals, and many prominent citizens. The Borghese were noted patrons…