Francesco Saverio de Zelada

Francesco Saverio de Zelada ( born August 27, 1717 Rome, † December 19, 1801 ) was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.

Life

He was born as a child of a Spanish family that decided him on a career as a bureaucrat and diplomat of the papal curia. To this end, he studied both law at the University of La Sapienza. On October 23, 1740 he was ordained a priest. On December 23, 1766 he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Petra and created in the consistory of 19 April 1773 by Pope Clement XIV to Cardinal Priest of San Martino ai Monti. In 1793 he took over the titular church of Santa Prassede. He was the principal negotiator of the Holy See of his time, and author of the bull Dominus ac Redemptor of 21 July 1773 which resulted in the prohibition of the Society of Jesus.

His career culminated with his appointment by Pope Pius VI. Cardinal Secretary of State ( 1789-1796 ). After Pius death Zelada took part in the conclave in 1800, the elected Pius VII. As librarian of the Holy Roman Church (December 15, 1779 to his death ) was Cardinal Zelada a great collector of books, as well as coins and medals, and other works of art.

He is buried in the church of San Martino ai Monti in Rome.