Pope Innocent X was the 236th ruler of the Catholic Church and held the papal throne for more than a decade. Born in Rome, he had a familial connection to Pope Alexander VI and helped create a large fountain in the city. Many know the pope for a portrait painted in his honor that is on display in the National Gallery of Art.
Early Life
Giovanni Battista Pamphilj was born in Rome on May 5, 1574, and spent most of his life in the city. His family came from Gubbio, which is now part of Umbria. They gained a strong following and reputation as many of the members served the Church in different roles. Some also spells his last name Pamphilli.
Giovanni knew from an early age that he would help the Church and studied at Roman College before joining its ranks. Only after graduating did he hold his first position as a lawyer. Giovanni then took over his uncle’s role as an auditor and later served as a canonist. Others took notice of his work, which led to Pope Gregory XV naming him a diplomat and sending him to the Kingdom of Naples. Giovanni also became close to King Philip IV of Spain.
Papal Election
Many historians credit his papal nomination with his connection to King Philip IV. After more than two decades on the papal throne, Pope Urban VIII passed away. Giovanni was a cardinal by that point but only attended the papal conclave and did not intend to put his name forth.
A group of the former pope’s nephews disagreed with the leading choice of a Spanish pope and believed that a French choice was better. When they could not gather enough support for their choice, they agreed to select Giovanni.
Papacy
Giovanni began his papacy on September 15, 1644, and took the name of Innocent X, which made him the 10th man to use that name as the pope. He quickly issued a papal bull against the French supporters who attempted to take the throne.
The bull allowed him to take the property that they owned and eliminate the benefits they earned from working for the Church. He would later restore relations with France after one of the men married the pope’s niece.
Later Years
Many know Pope Innocent X for the bull he issued that spoke out against Jansenism. It was a sect of the Church led by Cornelius Jansen that focused heavily on predestination and original sin.
The pope also had a close relationship with the woman once married to his brother, which led some historians to believe that the two had an intimate relationship. Pope Innocent X oversaw a jubilee celebration in his later years and sat for one of the portraits named after him. He was 80 when he passed away from natural causes after sitting on the papal throne for more than a decade.
List of Events In The Life of Pope Innocent X (Giovanni Battista Pamphilj)
| Date | Age | Event | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 May 1574 | Born | ||
| 26 Mar 1621 | 46.8 | Appointed | Apostolic Nuncio to Naples, Italy |
| Mar 1625 | 50.8 | Resigned | Apostolic Nuncio to Naples, Italy |
| 19 Jan 1626 | 51.7 | Appointed | Titular Patriarch of Antiochia {Antioch} |
| 25 Jan 1626 | 51.7 | Ordained Bishop | Titular Patriarch of Antiochia {Antioch} |
| 30 May 1626 | 52.0 | Appointed | Apostolic Nuncio to Spain |
| 30 Aug 1627 | 53.3 | Elevated to Cardinal | In Pectore |
| 19 Nov 1629 | 55.5 | Elevated to Cardinal | |
| 1 Mar 1630 | 55.8 | Resigned | Apostolic Nuncio to Spain |
| 12 Aug 1630 | 56.2 | Installed | Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Eusebio |
| 1639 | 64.6 | Appointed | Prefect of the Congregation of the Council |
| 15 Sep 1644 | 70.3 | Elected | Pope (Roma, Italy) |
| 4 Oct 1644 | 70.4 | Installed | Pope (Roma, Italy) |
| 7 Jan 1655 | 80.6 | Died | Pope (Roma, Italy) |
Background:
*Born: May 5, 1574
*Birth Name: Giovanni Battista Pamphilj
*Died: January 7, 1655
*Cause of Death: Natural causes
*Papacy Began: September 15, 1644
*Papacy Ended: January 7, 1655
*Successor: Pope Alexander VII
Interesting Facts About Pope Innocent X
- Sir Robert Walpole was the earliest known owner of Pope Innocent X and passed it down to his son. Painted circa 1650, it shows the pope in his official papal wardrobe. Andrew W. Mellon later acquired the painting and gave it to a trust that he created. The trust gifted the portrait to the National Gallery of Art in 1937, which still displays it today.
- The papacy of Pope Innocent X lasted for 10 years and 114 days. Both his predecessor and successor held the papal throne for longer.
- Innocent X is one of just a small handful of men who served as pope and were related to past popes. Pope Alexander VI was his great-great-great-grandfather.
- Building more schools to educate the children of Europe was one of his main goals but also one that he did not fulfill his wishes. Pope Alexander VII swore that he would continue his work.
- Diego Valazquez also painted a portrait of the pope, which he called Portrait of Innocent X. The piece inspired Frances Bacon to create a series of paintings in the 20th century that depicted popes screaming.