Mistress of the Vatican LP: The True Story of Olimpia Maidalchini: The Secret Female PopeUnlike the ninth century's Pope Joan, whose life is shrouded in mystery, Olimpia's story is documented in thousands of letters, news sheets, and diplomatic dispatches. Knowing of Pope Innocent's absolute dependence on his sister-in-law, Cardinal Alessandro Bichi angrily declared on the day of Innocent's election, We have just elected a female pope. Mischievous Romans hung banners in churches calling her Pope Olimpia I. Cardinal Sforza Pallavicino bewailed the monstrous power of a woman in the Vatican. One contemporary wrote that women might as well become priests, since one of them was already pope. Born in modest circumstances, Olimpia was almost forced into a convent at the age of fifteen due to the lack of a dowry. She used deceit to escape, and vowed never to be poor and powerless again. Throughout her life, Olimpia exacted excruciating vengeance on anyone who tried to lock her up or curb her power. But her grisly revenge on the pope who loved her would be reserved for after his death. ... |
Contents
The Female Pope | 223 |
The Vicar of Christ | 225 |
Celebrations | 244 |
Women in the Vatican | 264 |
Vengeance on the Barberinis | 293 |
The Despised DaughterinLaw | 322 |
The Imbecile Cardinals | 343 |
Birth Famine and Bitter Peace | 366 |
Olimpias Triumphant Return | 513 |
The Sudden Disgrace of Cardinal Astalli | 547 |
Death of the Dove | 575 |
Unforgiveness | 604 |
Pope Alexander VII | 615 |
The Two Queens of Rome | 635 |
The Scourge of God | 652 |
After Olimpia | 675 |
The Shoulder of Saint Francesca | 390 |
The Holy Jubilee Year | 422 |
Crisis of Conscience | 451 |
Unforgiveness | 481 |
Honor and Dishonor | 483 |
Introduction | 693 |
ix | 707 |
Bibliography | 711 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
altar Amayden ambassador Anna Colonna Antonio Barberini avvisi Barberini basilica Bernini Borromini brother called Camillo Cardinal Antonio Cardinal Astalli-Pamphili Cardinal Chigi Cardinal Francesco Cardinal Maidalchini cardinal nephew Cardinal Pallavicino Cardinal Pamphili Cardinal Panciroli carriage Catholic Cecchini century ceremony conclave convent datary daughter death Donna Olimpia door dowry election enemies exile father fountain France Francesco Barberini Francesco Borromini Francesco Maidalchini French Giacinto Gigli Gian Lorenzo Bernini Gianbattista Pamphili Gigli wrote Giustiniani gold Gregorio Leti heretics Holy honor Ibid Innocent Innocent's jubilee knew look marry Mascambruno Mazarin Monsignor Naples never noble nuncio Olimpia Maidalchini Olimpiuccia palazzo Pamphili family papal Pasquino Peter’s Piazza Navona Piazza Navona palace pilgrims political pontiff pope pope’s priest Prince Ludovisi princess of Rossano Quirinal Quirinal Palace reigned Roman Rome Saint Peter's Saint Peter's Basilica San Martino scandal scudi sent servants Sforza sister-in-law Spain Spanish Vatican Viterbo wanted woman women