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Updated: June 7, 2025
But it is a most singular fact that the Pope himself, with whose interests they were allied, their natural protector, the head of the hierarchy which they so constantly defended, should have been made the main agent in their temporary humiliation. Yet Clement XIV. the weak and timid Ganganelli was forced to this suicidal act.
He had not a strong enough intellect to defy the king and all his threats, or to bear the shame of being exhibited to the whole world as an ambitious and unscrupulous man. I am amused when people tell me that Ganganelli poisoned himself by taking so many antidotes.
The decision was the hardest which mortal man had ever been required to make. Whatever course he pursued was full of danger and disgrace. Poor Ganganelli! he had better remained a cowherd, a simple priest, a bishop, a cardinal, any thing, rather than to have been made a pope! But such was his ambition, and he was obliged to reap its penalty.
"We may as well have a great man at once," said the Englishman. "Ask for Pope Ganganelli. It can make no difference to this gentleman." The Sicilian bit his lips. "I dare not call one of the Lord's anointed." "That is a pity!" replied the English lord; "perhaps we might have heard from him what disorder he died of."
The infernal work had therefore proved successful, the vengeance was complete Ganganelli was no more, and upon the papal throne sat Braschi, the friend of the Jesuits and of Cardinal Albani, to whom he had promised the crowning of the improvisatrice Corilla.
They silently walked on, and making a path through the bushes, they at length arrived at the place, with the construction of which Lorenzo had some months before surprised the pope, and which Ganganelli had since named the "Franciscan Place." "So," joyfully exclaimed Lorenzo, while the exhausted pope glided down upon the grass-bank "so, brother Clement, now let us be cheerful!
They, accordingly, intrigued to secure his election. The Jesuits, also, strained every nerve, and put forth marvellous talent and art, to secure a pope who would protect them. But the ambassadors of the allied powers overreached even the Jesuits. Ganganelli was the plainest, and, apparently, the most unambitious of men.
They have no longer there the great men of the time of Leo X. Ganganelli would not have conducted himself in this style. I wish to be in safety in my own house. The whole of Italy belongs to me by right of conquest. Let the Pope do what I wish, and he will be recompensed for the past and for the future.
Ganganelli stood silent and motionless, with folded hands. A deep emotion was visible in his gentle mien, and tears rolled slowly down over his cheeks. "Well, is it not well copied, and true to nature?" asked Lorenzo, whose eyes beamed with satisfaction. "My favorite spot in the garden of the Franciscan convent!" said Ganganelli in a tone trembling with emotion.
The reign of the Jesuits was over; Ganganelli had thrust them from the throne, and they cursed him as their murderer! He had suppressed their sacred order, he had commanded them to lay aside their peculiar costume and adopt that of other monkish orders, or the usual dress of abbes.
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