Consalvi

Consalvi, Ercole (1757-1824), was an Italian cardinal and statesman, best known for his role as Secretary of State under Pope Pius VII and his negotiation of the Concordat of 1801 with Napoleon Bonaparte. Born in Rome, Consalvi received a doctorate in canon and civil law from the University of La Sapienza.

His diplomatic skills were first demonstrated during the conclave of 1799-1800 held in Venice after the death of Pius VI, where he successfully navigated the complex political landscape to secure the election of Pius VII. Following the election, Pius VII appointed Consalvi as his Secretary of State.

As Secretary of State, Consalvi's primary objective was to restore the authority and temporal possessions of the Papal States, which had been severely diminished during the French Revolution. His most significant achievement was the Concordat of 1801, which re-established the Catholic Church in France after years of turmoil and allowed the Pope to exercise some degree of control over ecclesiastical appointments.

Despite the success of the Concordat, tensions with Napoleon persisted. When Napoleon annexed the Papal States in 1809, Consalvi refused to swear allegiance to him and was subsequently exiled. He returned to Rome after Napoleon's downfall in 1814 and was reappointed Secretary of State.

At the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), Consalvi played a crucial role in securing the restoration of most of the Papal States. He also implemented significant reforms within the Papal States, including modernizing the legal system and infrastructure. He aimed to create a more efficient and just administration, but his reforms often faced opposition from conservative factions within the Curia.

Consalvi resigned as Secretary of State in 1823 following the death of Pius VII and the election of Pope Leo XII, who reversed many of his policies. Consalvi died in Rome in 1824. His legacy rests on his diplomatic acumen, his contribution to the restoration of the Papacy after the Napoleonic era, and his efforts to modernize the Papal States.