Clement XIII (
March 7,
1693 -
February 2,
1769) was
pope 1758-1769.
He was born
Carlo Rezzonico in
Venice, became a cardinal in 1637, and had previously been bishop of
Padua. He became pope on
July 6, 1758. Notwithstanding the meekness and affability of his character, his pontificate was disturbed by perpetual contentions respecting the investiture of
Parma, and subsequently by the demands of
France,
Spain, the
Two Sicilies, and
Portugal for the suppression of the
Jesuits. Clement warmly espoused the cause of the order in papal bull issued on
January 7,
1765. The pressure put upon him by the Catholic powers, especially the
Bourbons, was so strong however that he seemed about to give way, when, having convoked a consistory to receive his decision, he died suddenly,
February 3,
1769, not without suspicion of poison.
from the 9th edition (1876) of an unnamed encyclopedia - please update as necessary
