Cardinal Antonelli

Overview

Giacomo Antonelli (born Sonnino, 2 April 1806; died Rome, 6 November 1876), cardinal from 1847 and Cardinal Secretary of State to Pope Pius IX from November 1848 until his death; the leading opponent of Italian unification in the papal government (Wikipedia, "Giacomo Antonelli"; New Advent / Catholic Encyclopedia, "Giacomo Antonelli"). Marie calls him «le cardinal-diacre Jacques Antonelli» (059.0601).

Relevance to Marie

He is the uncle of Pietro Antonelli (see #Antonelli) and, in Marie's account, the head and purse of the family: Mme de Mouzay reports that «le cardinal ... a vingt millions» (063, 1876-07-07), and she warns Pietro that a match with her would bring down his family's curse: «Le pape vous maudira, le cardinal vous maudira et votre père vous maudira» (056, 1876-03-29). In Paris in July 1876 she hopes to become «nièce de pape» through Pietro (063.0345, 063.0443, 063.0450) and has a somnambule read his signed portrait: he will be «presque roi» and «triomphera» (063.0350–063.0376). His death on 6 November 1876 ends the prophecy: «Le cardinal est mort. Comme rien ne s'est accompli de la prédiction de la Mongruel je n'en parlerai plus jamais» (067.1026, 1876-11-15).

References in Diary

Tagged in carnets 009 and 051–085; key passages: 059.0601 (the family), 063.0350–063.0428 (the séance), 066.0093 (1876-09-07: «il vivra deux ans et six mois. Il sera pape»), 067.1026 (his death).