Election to the papacy Pope Benedict XIV died of gout in 1758 and the
College of Cardinals gathered at the papal conclave in order to elect a successor. Direct negotiations between the rival factions resulted in the proposal for the election of Rezzonico. On the evening of 6 July 1758, Rezzonico received 31 votes out of a possible 44, one more than the required amount. He selected the pontifical name of "Clement XIII" in honor of
Pope Clement XII, who had elevated him to the cardinalate. Rezzonico was
crowned as pontiff on 16 July 1758 by the
protodeacon, Cardinal
Alessandro Albani.
Actions Notwithstanding the meekness and affability of his upright and moderate character, he was modest to a fault (he had the classical sculptures in the Vatican provided with mass-produced
fig leaves) and generous with his extensive private fortune. He also permitted vernacular translations of the Bible in Catholic countries.
Ecumenism and other members of Rezzonico family, Clement XIII made attempts at engaging with
Protestants. This made little progress since Clement refused to compromise on doctrine with Protestants. In support of this policy, he recognised the
Hanoverians as
Kings of Great Britain despite the long-term residence in Rome of the Catholic
House of Stuart. When
James Francis Edward Stuart aka James III died in 1766, Clement refused to recognise his son
Charles Edward Stuart as Charles III, despite the objections of his brother Cardinal
Henry Benedict Stuart.
Other activities Clement XIII created 52 new cardinals in seven consistories in his pontificate. The pope created his nephew
Carlo as a cardinal in his first consistory and later created Antonio Ganganelli—who would succeed him as
Pope Clement XIV—as a cardinal. The pope approved the cultus for several individuals:
Andrew of Montereale and
Vincent Kadlubek on 18 February 1764,
Angelus Agostini Mazzinghi on 7 March 1761,
Anthony Neyrot on 22 February 1767,
Agostino Novello in 1759,
Elizabeth of Reute on 19 July 1766, James Bertoni in 1766,
Francesco Marinoni on 5 December 1764,
Mattia de Nazarei on 27 July 1765,
Sebastian Maggi on 15 April 1760 and
Angela Merici on 30 April 1768. He formally beatified Beatrix of Este the Elder on 19 November 1763,
Bernard of Corleone on 15 May 1768, and
Gregorio Barbarigo on 6 July 1761. Clement XIII canonized four saints in his pontificate:
Jerome Emiliani,
Joseph Calasanz,
Joseph of Cupertino, and
Seraphin of Montegranaro on 16 July 1767.
Death Clement XIII died during the night of 2 February 1769 in Rome. He had participated in the solemnities to mark the
Feast of the Purification of Mary, and was noted to have participated with much fervor that would indicate good health. After lunch, he had a series of audiences, though did not leave the palace due to the exceptionally cold weather that had marred that week. He later received his nephew in an audience and then met with the
Cardinal Secretary of State before he would dine with his nephew, Abondio Rezzonico, the senator of Rome. However, as the pope was getting ready for bed after reciting the evening prayers with his aide drawing off his stockings, he suddenly collapsed on his bed, exclaiming, "O God, O God, what pain!" The doctor, immediately summoned, tried
blood-letting, but Clement XIII died quickly with blood gurgling in his mouth at around 5:15pm. It is generally believed that the pope experienced an
aneurysm of a
blood vessel near the heart. He was laid to rest on 8 February 1769 in the Vatican but his remains were transferred on 27 September 1774 to a monument in the Vatican that had been sculpted by
Antonio Canova at the request of Senator Abbondio Rezzonico, the nephew of the late pontiff. He was described in the
Annual Register for 1758 as "the honestest man in the world; a most exemplary ecclesiastic; of the purest morals; devout, steady, learned, diligent..." ==See also==