Clement XIV.,

Clement XIV., GIOVANNI VINCENZO ANTONIO GANGANELLI, born in 1705 at Sant' Arcangelo, near Rimini, at the age of eighteen entered the order of Minorites, and studied philosophy and theology, which he afterwards successfully taught at Ascoli, Bologna, and Milan. He was the friend and confidant of Benedict XIV., who appointed him to the important post of counsellor to the Inquisition, and under Clement XIII. he was made a cardinal. He succeeded to the papal chair, May 19, 1769, after a conclave agitated by the intrigues of the Catholic sovereigns, who united in opposing every candidate favourable to the Jesuits. The new pope first set about reconciling these monarchs; he suspended the bull In Cæna Domini, and entered into negotiations with Spain and France. After four years of deliberation, he issued in 1773 the famous brief Dominus ac Redemptor noster, suppressing 'for ever' the society of the Jesuits. The motive assigned in the brief is, 'regard to the peace of the church.' From this time his strength gradually gave way, and he died September 22, 1774, of poison, it was said, although no evidence has been produced to verify this suspicion. Clement was remarkable for liberality of mind, address as a statesman, sound learning, and integrity of character. He cherished the arts and sciences, and was the founder of the Clementine Museum, which, by the additions of Pius VI. and Pius VII., became the chief ornament of the Vatican. See Theiner, Geschichte des Pontifikats Clemens XIV. (Paris, 1853; also in French).