Editing Pope Innocent XIII (section)

===Early life===
Michelangelo dei Conti was born on 13 May 1655 in [[Poli, Italy|Poli]],{{sfn|Fiorani|1994|p=809}} near [[Rome]] as the son of Carlo II, Duke of Poli,{{sfn|Williams|1998|p=28}} and Isabella d'Monti. Like [[Pope Innocent III]] (1198–1216), [[Pope Gregory IX]] (1227–1241) and [[Pope Alexander IV]] (1254–1261), he was a member of the aristocratic landowning family of the Conti, who held the titles of [[Counts of Segni|counts]] and dukes of Segni. He included the family shield in his [[pontifical coats of arms]].<ref name="ce">{{CathEncy|wstitle=Pope Innocent XIII}}</ref>

Conti commenced his studies in [[Ancona]] and then with the [[Jesuits]] in [[Rome]] at the [[Collegio Romano]] and then later at [[La Sapienza University]]. After he received his [[doctorate]] in [[canon law]] and civil law, he was [[ordained]] to the [[priesthood]]. Conti also served as the [[Referendary]] of the [[Apostolic Signatura]] in 1691, later to be appointed as the Governor of [[Ascoli Piceno|Ascoli]] until 1692. Conti was also the Governor of [[Campagna]] and [[Marittima]] from 1692 to 1693 and the Governor of [[Viterbo]] from 1693 to 1695.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios1706-ii.htm#Conti|title=CONTI, Michelangelo (1655-1724)|publisher=Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church|date=2015|access-date=5 February 2015}}</ref>

[[Pope Innocent XII]] selected Conti as the [[Titular bishop|Titular Archbishop]] of [[Tarsus, Mersin|Tarsus]] on 13 June 1695 and he received his [[episcopal consecration]] on 16 June 1695 in Rome. Conti was also the [[nuncio]] to both [[Apostolic Nunciature to Switzerland|Switzerland]] and [[Apostolic Nunciature to Portugal|Portugal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pope Innocent XIII |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08023a.htm |access-date=21 January 2024 |website=www.newadvent.org}}</ref>