Mario Alberizzi

Mario Alberizzi was born on 29 December 1609 in Salve, Italy, to a noble family,[2] the son of Giovanni Alberizzi, the prince of Vetrana, and Giulia Farnese.[1] His last name is also listed as Albrizj, Alberici, Albericius and Albericci.[1] He belongs to a family with several distinguished cardinals including his maternal uncle, Cardinal Odoardo Farnese (installed 1591), and Cardinal Taddeo Luigi dal Verme (installed 1695).[1] He studied law in Rome where he earned a doctorate in canon and civil law and a master's in theology.[1]

After his ordination as a priest, he was appointed in 1638 as Referendary of the Tribunals of the Apostolic Signature of Justice and of Grace.[1] From 1646 to 1650, he served as the governor of the city of Ancona where during a famine, he sold all his possessions to feed the poor.[1] In 1657, he was appointed Canon of the patriarchal Vatican basilica; and from 1657 to 1664, he served as Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide.[1] In 1659, he was appointed Voter of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Grace.[1] In 1664, he was named Voter of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Grace and Secretary of the S.C. of Bishops and Regulars.[1] In 1669, he was named as canon theologian.[1] He also served as Consultor of the Supreme S.C. of the Roman and Universal Inquisition.[1]

On 19 January 1671 he was appointed during the papacy of Pope Clement X as Titular Archbishop of Neocaesarea in Ponto.[1][2][3] On 25 January 1671 he was consecrated bishop by Cardinal Federico Borromeo (iuniore), with Alessandro Crescenzi, Titular Patriarch of Alessandria, and Giacomo Altoviti, Titular Patriarch of Antioch, serving as co-consecrators.[1][2][3] On 2 February 1671 he was appointed as Assistant at the Pontifical Throne; and as Apostolic Nuncio to Austria where he served until 1675.[1][3]

On 27 May 1675 he was named by Pope Clement X as cardinal priest and received the title of San Giovanni a Porta Latina on 23 March 1676.[1][3][2] On 22 June 1676 he was appointed during the papacy of Pope Clement X as Archbishop (Personal Title) of Tivoli.[1][3][2] As cardinal, he participated in the conclave of 1676 which elected Pope Innocent XI.[1] He served as Bishop of Tivoli until his resignation on 4 September 1679.[1] He died on 29 September 1680 in Rome and was buried in the chapel of the Basicilica Beata Vergine Maria.[1][2] He donated his library to the S.C. of Propaganda Fide.[1]

• Catholic Church in Italy