Editing Pope Innocent XIII (section)

==Death and legacy==
[[File:Tomb of Innocentius XIII.jpg|thumb|230px|right|The tomb of Pope Innocent XIII.]]
Innocent XIII fell ill in 1724. He was tormented by a [[hernia]] of which he spoke to nobody but his valet. At one point, it had burst and caused inflammation and fever. Innocent XIII asked for the [[last rites]], made his profession of faith, and died on 7 March 1724, at the age of 68. His pontificate was unremarkable, given that he was hampered by physical suffering. He was interred in the grotto at [[Saint Peter's Basilica]].

{{Cquote|quote=Innocent XIII might have lived a few years longer had he been more temperate in eating and drinking, and had his doctors been less ignorant. He was an equitable, honest ruler, always kept his word, in fact was inclined to do more than he had promised. He proved grateful to those who had befriended him, a rare quality indeed. He gave few audiences and compared to Clement XI showed little interest in the Pretender {{bracket|[[James Edward Stuart]]}}. I will have reliable correspondents in the coming conclave who will warn me in good time if any intrigues are afoot which might prejudice the King's interests by favouring the Pretender's.|author=John Walton|source=letter addressed to [[John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville|Lord Carteret]] in March 1724.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pickle-publishing.com/papers/triple-crown-innocent-xiii.htm|title=Pope Innocent XIII: Proceedings of the Conclave that led to his election|publisher=Pickle Publishing|date=2005|accessdate=7 March 2022}}</ref>}}

Innocent XIII had suffered from a hernia about three to four months after his election but also suffered from acute attacks of pain due to [[kidney stones]]. But Innocent XIII did himself no favors with his excessive appetite and no exercise. He also suffered from [[lethargy]] that caused him to sleep a great deal. In mid-February 1724, his suffering grew worse to the point that he could no longer get up, suffering from an accumulation of water in his lower limbs in what was an indication of severe kidney problems. This led to his doctors fearing that he could develop [[Heart failure|congestive heart failure]].<ref name=CSUN>{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/SV1724.html|title=Sede Vacante 1724|publisher=CSUN|date=29 September 2015|author=John Paul Adams|accessdate=7 March 2022}}</ref> On 3 March, despite his failing health, Innocent XIII set to work signing documents, though he suffered poor sleep that night and had a better day on 4 March. In the morning on 5 March, one of the papal doctors fed Innocent XIII a [[Laxative|purgative]], however, this backfired and only aggravated the hernia. An attempted reduction was only partially successful, resulting in a strangulated hernia, while the pope experienced great pain in the night between 5 and 6 March. However, a serious inflammation quickly set in, causing the pope to contract a fever. Innocent XIII, now very well aware of his state of health, immediately asked for the [[Viaticum]], receiving it on 6 March as his family gathered to see him. However, there had been attempts to get the pope to name new cardinals, simply to create stronger factions in the conclave. At 4:00pm on 6 March, he signed a [[Codicil (will)|codicil]] to his will, and that night asked for and received the [[Extreme Unction]]. Innocent XIII died on 7 March.<ref name=CSUN/>