Foreign relations Pope Alexander VII

1 foreign relations

1.1 malta
1.2 sweden
1.3 france
1.4 spain , portugal

foreign relations

drawing of pope alexander vii andrea sacchi


malta

before being elected pontiff, chigi served inquisitor on island of malta resided @ inquisitor s palace in birgu (alias città vittoriosa). @ time malta fiefdom of knights hospitallers of sovereign order of saint john of jerusalem, knights of malta.

sweden

the conversion of queen christina of sweden (1632–1654) occurred during alexander vii s reign. after abdication queen came reside in rome, confirmed in baptism pope, in whom found generous friend , benefactor, on christmas day, 1655.

france

in foreign policy instincts not humanist or successful. alexander vii s pontificate shadowed continual friction cardinal mazarin, adviser louis xiv of france (1643–1715), had opposed him during negotiations led peace of westphalia , defended prerogatives of gallican church. during conclave, had been hostile chigi s election, in end compelled accept him compromise. however, prevented louis xiv sending usual embassy of obedience alexander vii, and, while lived, foiled appointment of french ambassador rome, diplomatic affairs being meantime conducted cardinal protectors, personal enemies of pope. in 1662, equally hostile duc de crequi made ambassador. abuse of traditional right of asylum granted ambassadorial precincts in rome, precipitated quarrel between france , papacy, resulted in alexander vii s temporary loss of avignon , forced acceptance of humiliating treaty of pisa in 1664.

spain , portugal

he favored spanish in claims against portugal, had reestablished traditional independence in 1640. pontificate marked protracted controversies portugal.