Scipione Borghese

Destined to the ecclesiastical state, he studied theology at  Collegio Tolomei  , Siena; and later, at  La Sapienza  University, Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in  utroque iure , both canon and civil law, on April 27, 1756. He entered the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta in July 1735. With the protection of his uncle Cardinal Colonna, he started his curial career. Vicar of the patriarchal Liberin basilica from January 1756. Protonotary apostolic  de numero participantium , May 1756-1765. Referendary of the Tribunals of the Signature of Justice and of Grace, June 1756. Ordained, September 22, 1759. Consultor of the S.C. of Rites, December 1759; its secretary, April 1762. Elected titular archbishop of Teodosia, June 5, 1765. Consecrated, June 9, 1765 at Pauline chapel, patriarchal Liberian basilica, Rome, by Cardinal Marcantonio Colonna, assisted by Domenico Giordani, titular archbishop of Nicomedia, and by Giovanni Lercari, titular archbishop of Adrianopolis. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, July 16, 1765. Prefect of the  Cubiculi  of His Holiness, July 23, 1766; confirmed in that post by the new Pope Clement XIV, July 4, 1769. He was one of the closest collaborators of Pope Clement XIII in the dramatic events of the last part of his pontificate, engaged in a desperate defense of the Society of Jesus. He had to quickly adapt to the changing climate in the pontificate of Pope Clement XIV, who eventually suppressed the Society in 1773. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 10, 1770; received the red hat, September 13, 1770; and the title of S. Maria sopra Minerva, December 12, 1770. Ascribed to the SS. CC. of Rites, Insurgencies and Sacred Relics, Consistorial,  delle Acque e Strade , Tribunal of the Signature of Grace and Fabric of St. Peter's basilica. Protector of  Collegio Clementino , Rome; of the Church and Nation  Sanese ; f the Archconfaternity of the Most Holy Sacrament of S. Lorenzo in Lucina, Rome; and of the Commune of Filo di Cento. Legate in Ferrara, December 16, 1771, succeeding Cardinal Girolamo Spinola; arrived in his legation, June 11, 1772; he was frequently absent, preferring to entrust the government to Vice-legate Francesco Pignatelli; he reorganized the university of Ferrara, according to the directives issued by Pope Clement XIV on April 3, 1771, supporting the work of the Committee in charge of the reform, chaired by the dean of the Sacred Rota, the Ferrarese Giammaria Riminaldi; he worked to adjust the thorny issue of the Jesuit according to the drastic intentions of Pope Clement XIV; he was appointed, on June 17, 1773, to provide for the closing of the Jesuit colleges, the dispersion of the Jesuits and the freezing of assets of the Society; Cardinal Borghese carried out the papal directives with the speed and power needed, so that there were no incidents in the quick operation, of the part of the Jesuits or the population, as the pope had so feared; the cardinal then entrusted the Jesuit schools to the Congregation of Clerics Regular Somaschi; confirmed for a triennium, March 13, 1775; left, April 5, 1778. Participated in the  conclave of 1774-1775 , which elected Pope Pius VI. Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals, March 1, 1779 until March 20, 1780. Protector of the Congregation of the Clerics Regular Minor Observant, December 29, 1779. Died December 26, 1782, around 8 a.m., Rome. Exposed in his title, where the funeral took place; and buried in the  Borghese Chapel, in the patriarchal Liberian basilica, Rome. He left all his possessions to his brother Marcantonio.