Annibale Albani (August 15, 1682 – October 21, 1751) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and a member of the influential Albani family. Born in Urbino, he was the son of Orazio Albani and the nephew of Pope Clement XI, whose patronage significantly influenced his ecclesiastical career.
Albani was elevated to the cardinalate by his uncle on December 23, 1711, serving as the Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Throughout his career, he held several high-ranking positions within the Roman Curia. He served as the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church from 1719 to 1747, a role in which he managed the administration of the Holy See during vacancies of the papal throne. Additionally, he held the titles of Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica and Cardinal-Bishop of the suburbicarian sees of Sabina and, later, Porto-Santa Rufina.
Beyond his administrative and diplomatic roles, Albani was recognized as a scholar and a patron of the arts and sciences. He was instrumental in expanding the Albani family’s collection of books, manuscripts, and coins. One of his notable scholarly contributions was the publication of the Menologium Graecorum (1727), a liturgical calendar of the Greek Church. He also played a significant role in the cultural life of Rome, supporting various academic and archaeological endeavors.
In the political sphere of the Church, Albani participated in the papal conclaves of 1721, 1724, 1730, and 1740. His influence was marked by his efforts to maintain the interests of the Papal States and his family’s legacy. He died in Rome in 1751 and was interred in the Clementine Chapel of St. Peter's Basilica.
