Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
Rare Broadside of a Letter of Pope Benedict XIV to Paul Passionei, Vice-legate in Avignon, concerning “Les Immunités,” one page, 20-3/4” x 31-1/4”. Château Gandolphe, Diocèse d’Albe, June 18, 1754. In French and Latin. Paul Passionei had just succeeded future Cardinal Pascal Aquaviva as Vice-legate and was to serve until 1760, two years after Benedict’s death. From 1305 to 1376, seven Popes, all French, lived in Avignon which remained part of the Pontifical States until the French Revolution. In this letter, seemingly his first to his new Vice-legat, Pope Benedict XIV tells Paul Passionei that “We, initially, endeavored to direct this part of our Pontificate to the Provinces which are subjected to us...distant from our City of Rome...less with range of our vigilance, as are our Town of Avignon, our Comtat Venaissin, & the Cities & Lieux...where you must go without delay to fill the Ministry there...The Soldiers of the Troops of our very dear...Louis Very Christian King of France, while deserting from its Armies, or making some contrary offence with the military discipline, refuge themselves in the Grounds & Lieux of the aforesaid City & Comtat, with all the more ease, that the subjected Places aforesaid City & Comtat are surrounded by all parts of the States of the Very Christian King, &; that generally these guilty Soldiers withdraw themselves, for greater safety, in the Churches & other places of Immunity...” The Pope doesn’t wish to derogate sacred canons of Popes Gregory XIV and Benedict XIII regarding the places of Immunity. The Comtat Venaissin was the region around Avignon, and, with a small region to the east (“the Cities & Lieux”), comprised the Pontifical States until 1791. Passionei’s October 16, 1754 response in French is printed at the bottom. Minor tears at the edges, tear in the left text, strengthened with paper on verso. Fine condition.
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