Antonio Marcello Barberini

Who was Antonio Marcello Barberini?

Antonio Marcello Barberini was an Italian cardinal and the younger brother of Maffeo Barberini, later Pope Urban VIII. He is sometimes referred to as Antonio the Elder to distinguish him from his nephew Antonio Barberini.

Born Marcello Barberini in Florence into the Barberini family, he entered the Order of Capuchins in 1585. In 1592 he changed his baptismal name to Antonio.

He served as a priest until the election of his brother Maffeo to the papal throne as Pope Urban VIII in 1623. He travelled to Rome with a group of Capuchin brothers to serve his brother and was elevated to cardinal in 1624.

He was appointed Bishop of Senigallia between 1625 and 1628. Later he was appointed Grand Inquisitor of the Roman Inquisition between 1629 and 1633, Librarian of the Holy Roman Church between 1633 and 1646 and Major Penitentiary between 1633 and 1646. He served as the Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals twice.

He participated in the papal conclave of 1644 which elected his brother's successor, Pope Innocent X. After the Wars of Castro Innocent X launched an investigation into the Barberini family which forced Antonio Barberini's nephews, Francesco Barberini, Antonio Barberini and Prince Taddeo Barberini, into exile.