Editing Pope Leo XII (section)

===Papal nuncio and episcopate===
In 1790 the attractive and articulate della Genga attracted favourable attention by a tactful oration commemorative of the late [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor]].<ref name=EB1911/> In 1794 [[Pope Pius VI]] made him a canon of [[Saint Peter's Basilica]],<ref name=Toke/> and in 1793 created him Titular [[Archbishop of Tyre]]. He was consecrated in Rome in 1794 after the appointment and was despatched to [[Lucerne]] as the [[Apostolic Nunciature to Switzerland|Apostolic Nuncio to Switzerland]]. In 1794 he was transferred to the [[Apostolic Nunciature to Cologne]], but owing to the [[War of the First Coalition|war]] had to make his residence in [[Augsburg]].<ref name=EB1911/> At this time, he believed it would be his last post and organized the construction of tombs for his mother and for himself.

During the dozen or more years he spent in Germany he was entrusted with several honourable and difficult missions, which brought him into contact with the courts of [[Electorate of Saxony|Dresden]], [[Habsburg monarchy|Vienna]], [[Electorate of Bavaria|Munich]] and [[Duchy of Württemberg|Stuttgart]], as well as with [[Napoleon]]. It is charged, however, that during this period his finances were disordered, and his private life was not above suspicion.<ref name=EB1911/>

After the Napoleonic abolition of the [[Papal States|States of the Church]] (1798), he lived for some years at [[Santa Maria in Monticelli, Rome|Monticelli Abbey]], solacing himself with music and with bird-shooting, pastimes which he continued even after his election as Pope.<ref name=EB1911/>