Editing Pope Alexander VII (section)

== Works ==
Alexander VII disliked the business of state, preferring [[literature]] and [[philosophy]]; a collection of his [[Latin]] poems appeared at Paris in 1656 under the title ''Philomathi Labores Juveniles''. He also encouraged architecture, and the general improvement of Rome, where houses were razed to straighten and widen streets and where he had the opportunity to be a great patron for [[Gian Lorenzo Bernini]]: the decorations of the church of [[Santa Maria del Popolo]], [[titular church]]es for several of the Chigi cardinals, the [[Scala Regia]], the [[Chair of St. Peter]] in [[St. Peter's Basilica]]. In particular, he sponsored Bernini's construction of the beautiful colonnade in [[St. Peter's Square]].

According to William Roberts, Alexander VII wrote one of the most authoritative documents related to the [[heliocentrism]] issue. However, the document is not about any astronomic model and is not part of the [[Magisterium]] Ecclesiae.  The Pope published his ''Index Librorum Prohibitorum Alexandri VII Pontificis Maximi jussu editus'' which presented anew the contents of the [[Index of Forbidden Books]] which had condemned many works related to many different matters: among them were the works of Copernicus and Galileo. He prefaced this with the [[Papal bull|bull]] ''Speculatores Domus Israel'' (1592), stating his reasons: "in order that the whole history of each case may be known." 'For this purpose,'  the Pontiff stated, 'we have caused the Tridentine and Clementine Indices to be added to this general Index, and also all the relevant decrees up to the present time, that have been issued since the Index of our predecessor Clement, that nothing profitable to the faithful interested in such matters might seem omitted."<ref>''The Pontifical Decrees Against the Doctrine of the Earth's Movement, and the Ultramontane Defence of Them'', William Roberts, 1885, London, p.93.</ref> Among those included were the previous decrees placing various heliocentric works on the Index ("...which we will should be considered as though it were inserted in these presents, together with all, and singular, the things contained therein...") and, according to Roberts, using his Apostolic authority he bound the faithful to its contents ("...and approve with Apostolic authority by the tenor of these presents, and: command and enjoin all persons everywhere to yield this Index a constant and complete obedience...")<ref>Roberts, p.94.  Cf. Maurice A. Finocchiaro, ''Retrying Galileo, 1633–1992'' (Berkeley-Los Angeles: University of California Press 2005), pp. 258–259.</ref>  Thus, for the geocentrists, Alexander turned definitively against the heliocentric view of the [[Solar System]].  After Alexander VII's pontificate, the ''Index'' underwent a number of revisions.<ref>Joseph Hebers, {{CathEncy|wstitle=Index of Prohibited Books}}</ref> "In 1758 the general prohibition against works advocating heliocentrism was removed from the Index of prohibited books, although the specific ban on uncensored versions of the ''Dialogue'' and Copernicus's ''De Revolutionibus'' remained. All traces of official opposition to heliocentrism by the church disappeared in 1835 when these works were finally dropped from the Index".<ref>[[Galileo#Church reassessments of Galileo in later centuries]]</ref> {{better source needed|date=December 2023}} The Index was abolished entirely in 1966.<ref>[[Index of Forbidden Books#Abolition (1966)]]</ref> {{better source needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Theology ===
Alexander VII's [[Apostolic Constitution]], ''Sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum'' (8 December 1661),<ref>''Bullarum Diplomatum et Privilegiorum Sanctorum Romanorum Pontificium Taurensis Editio'' Tomus XVI (Turin 1869), no. CCCLXVI, pp. 739–742.</ref> laid out the doctrine of the [[Immaculate Conception]] of the Blessed Virgin Mary in terms almost identical to those utilized by [[Pope Pius IX]] when he issued his infallible definition ''[[Ineffabilis Deus]]''. Pius IX cites Alexander VII's bull in his footnote 11.

=== Morality ===
On 18 March 1666 in a decree issued, Alexander VII issued a correction on various moral matters that expanded upon a decree he had issued previously on 24 September 1665. In his decree, Alexander VII confirmed the authority and rulings from the Council of Trent while advising on matters ranging from sacramental confession, heresy, to proper courtship practices. The pontiff also confirmed the rulings made by predecessors such as Urban VIII in matters that concerned moral teachings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sensusfidelium.com/the-sources-of-catholic-dogma-the-denzinger/alexander-vii-1655-1667-various-errors-on-moral-matters/|title=ALEXANDER VII 1655-1667: Various Errors on Moral Matters|date=28 July 2018|publisher=Sensus Fidelium|accessdate=13 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stjoanarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Courtship-V-Physical-Contact.pdf|title=Courting and Physical Contact|date=|publisher=|author=|accessdate=13 December 2022}}</ref> [[Pope Innocent XI]] later expanded upon some of his points in 1679.