Giuseppe Albani

Who was Giuseppe Albani?

Giuseppe Albani was an Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal. Although never a candidate for the Papacy, his role in the election of Leo XII, Pius VIII and Gregory XVI is well-known to papal historians.

Albani was born in Rome into a family noble known for the number of clergy it produced. His great-uncle was Pope Clement XI, whilst three other relatives were also prominent cardinals.

Although little is known about his early education, his priestly studies were in Siena. However, in his early twenties Albani returned to Rome to be a domestic prelate for Pope Clement XIV. In his time in Rome Albani gained considerable experience in the practice of canon law and was to use this knowledge to effect in later years. He held major offices in the Roman Curia from a relatively early age and by the time he was made a cardinal by Pius VII he was already an important figure in the Church.