Pietro Antonelli

Basic Information

Count Pietro Antonelli was Marie's "suitor" in Rome during 1876. He was the nephew of Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli (1806-1876), Vatican Secretary of State under Pope Pius IX.

Family

• Father: Count Luigi (Louis) Antonelli
• Mother: Countess Camilla Antonelli, née Folchi
• Brothers: Domenico (nicknamed "Savage") and Paolo (nicknamed "Lion")
• Uncle: Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli, one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican

Nicknames in Marie's Diary

Marie gave him multiple nicknames: Pazzerello (little crazy one), Monk, Cardinalino (little cardinal), Pietruccio.

Relationship with Marie

Marie met Pietro at a masquerade in Rome in 1876. Discussion of marriage between Marie and Pietro followed their meeting. Key events:

• Marie and her mother visited Naples where Marie also met Count Alexander de Larderel
• Back in Nice, Marie returned to Rome with her aunt, hoping Antonelli would reassure her
• In Rome, she met Antonelli again but remained unconvinced of his devotion
• On their last night together, Antonelli asked her to marry him; Marie allowed him to kiss her and joined in the kiss (which she later remembered with shame)
• Marie and Pietro never saw each other again after this Roman visit

Related Entries

• #Antonelli_Cardinal - His uncle, Vatican Secretary of State
• #Larderel - Alexander de Larderel, rival suitor