CLEMENT XIV., GIOVANNI VINCENZO ANTONIO GANGANELLI, was b. in 1705 at St.
Arcangelo, near Rimini, where his father was a physician. At the age of 18, he entered the order of Minorites, and studied philosophy and theology, which he then success fully taught. His merits were appreciated by the keen-sighted Benedict XIV., who appointed him to the important post of counselor to the inquisition, and under Clement XIII. he was made a cardinal. On the death of Clement XIII., he succeeded to the papal chair, May 19, 1769. No pope had ever been elected under greater difficulties. The kings of Portugal, France, Spain, and Naples were at variance with C., chiefly on account of his support of the Jesuits; Venice wished to reform the religious orders without his interference; Poland was seeking to diminish his influence; the Romans themselves were discontented. C. first set about reconciling the monarchs; he sent a
nuncio to Lisbon, suspended the bull hi Ccena Domini. and entered into negotiations with Spain and France. After several years of negotiation, he issued, 1773, the famous brief Dominus ac Redemptor noster, suppressing " the society of the Jesuits. The motive assigned in the brief is, "regard to the peace of the church." From this time his life was made miserable by "Constant fear, and his strength gradually gave way. He died of a scorbutic disease, Sept. 22, 1774. C. was remarkable for liberality of mind, address as a statesman, sound learning, and mildness of character. He cherished the arts and sciences, and was the founder of the Clementine museum, which, by the addi tions of Pius VI. and Pius VII., became the chief ornament of the Vatican.