Editing Pope Alexander VII (section)

=== Sweden ===
{{Expand section|date=September 2016}}

The conversion of Queen [[Christina of Sweden]] (1632–1654) occurred during Alexander VII's reign. After her abdication the queen came to reside in Rome, where she was confirmed in her [[baptism]] by the Pope, in whom she found a generous friend and benefactor, on [[Christmas Day]], 1655. She was described by the Pope as 'a queen without a realm, a Christian without faith, and a woman without shame.'<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lindsay |first=Ivan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TsG7BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA17-IA80 |title=The History of Loot and Stolen Art: from Antiquity until the Present Day |date=2 June 2014 |publisher=Andrews UK Limited |isbn=978-1-906509-57-6 |language=en}}</ref> He was also said to have accused her of being 'a woman born of a barbarian, barbarously brought up and living with barbarous thoughts', therefore indicating that their relationship might have been contentious at best.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 September 2015 |title=PIERRE SIGNAC (FRENCH, 1623 or 1624-1684) {{!}} An important enamel miniature of Christina (1626-1689), Queen of Sweden 1632-1654, in white robes with black ribbon tied at neck, black cloak draped around her shoulders, her long light brown hair falling in curls |url=http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/LotDetailsPrintable.aspx?intObjectID=4197142 |access-date=1 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203106/http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/LotDetailsPrintable.aspx?intObjectID=4197142 |archive-date=23 September 2015 }}</ref>

Shortly after her arrival in Rome, she quickly became the centre of Roman fashion and parties. However, following the pre-Lenten Carnival in 1656, Alexander VII quickly regretted having invited her to Rome since there existed an atmosphere of immorality which was linked to the Carnival. While the pontiff had originally hoped that Christina would become an inspiration for those considering conversion to the faith, he was dismayed that her interests were primarily political, even to the point that she helped plot the conquest of Naples with [[Cardinal Mazarin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.papalartifacts.com/portfolio-item/pope-alexander-vii/|title=Pope Alexander VII|publisher=Papal Artefacts|date=|accessdate=13 December 2022}}</ref>