Editing Pope Alexander VIII (section)

===Papal election===
{{main|1689 papal conclave}}
{{Infobox popestyles
|image      = C o a Alexander VIII.svg
|dipstyle   = [[His Holiness]]
|offstyle   = Your Holiness
|relstyle   = Holy Father
|deathstyle = None
|}}
[[File:Italy Papal States 1689-I Quadrupla Scudo d'Oro.jpg|thumb|260px|Pope Alexander VIII depicted on a gold quadruple [[Italian scudo]] from 1689. Saints [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul the Apostle|Paul]] on the reverse. Engraved by Antonio Travani, a goldsmith and medalist in Rome.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Forrer |first1=L. |year=1916 |title=Biographical Dictionary of Medallists |volume=6 |page=129 |publisher=Spink & Son, LTD |url=https://archive.org/stream/biographicaldict06forriala#page/n11/mode/2up }}</ref>]]

The ambassador of King [[Louis XIV of France]] (1643–1715) succeeded in procuring his election on 6 October 1689, as the successor to [[Pope Innocent XI]] (1676–89); nevertheless, after months of negotiation Alexander VIII finally condemned the [[Declaration of the Clergy of France|declaration]] made in 1682 by the French clergy concerning the liberties of the [[Gallican Liberties|Gallican]] church.<ref name="EB1911"/>

He chose the pontifical name of "Alexander VIII" in gratitude to [[Flavio Chigi (1631-1693)|Cardinal Flavio Chigi]], the nephew of [[Pope Alexander VII]], who also had helped support his candidacy.<ref>Olszewski E. page 13.</ref> Ottoboni was crowned as [[pontiff]] on 16 October 1689 by the [[protodeacon]] Cardinal [[Francesco Maidalchini]] and took possession of the [[Basilica of Saint John Lateran]] on 28 October 1689.

Originally, the allies of Cardinal Flavio Chigi proposed a Venetian in the form of [[Gregorio Barbarigo]] rather than their true choice of Ottoboni, hence, a case of misdirection to test whether or not the electors would consider the appointment of a Venetian to the papal throne. Though Barbarigo seemed to garner an exceptional number of votes which highlighted that a Venetian pontiff was indeed a tantalizing opportunity, Barbarigo could not garner any additional votes beyond what he already had accrued. However, many in the camp that wanted continuity with the policies of Innocent XI had caught on to the deception, which only served to create indignation within the conclave. However, since Chigi and his faction had not directly voted for Barbarigo in order to maintain the deception, the Ottoboni candidacy could go ahead and could remain unmarred since Chigi and his faction lied that they were waiting for the arrival of the French cardinals and did not wish to commit to any particular candidate. Though the Venetians indicated their support for Ottoboni, the republic had also managed to secure the support of [[Habsburg Spain|Madrid]] and [[Habsburg monarchy|Vienna]] through their ambassadors, while [[Francesco Maria de' Medici, Duke of Rovere and Montefeltro|Cardinal Medici]] made certain that the Imperial and Spanish factions would also support Ottoboni's candidacy. The determination to elect Ottoboni came conclusively when Ottoboni himself indicated that he was strongly in favor of reconciliation with the French, something that greatly appeased Louis XIV who had been in a more conciliatory mood of late.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/SV1689.html|title=SEDE VACANTE 1689|date=11 August 2015|author=John Paul Adams|publisher=CSUN|accessdate=24 December 2022}}</ref>

Old but of a strong constitution, Alexander VIII was said to be an able diplomat. During his brief pontificate he managed to destroy most of his predecessor's good work. All the money saved by Innocent XI was spent on enriching the Ottoboni family and to a cardinal he said: "I have no time to lose; for me the day is almost done!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pickle-publishing.com/papers/triple-crown-alexander-viii.htm|title=Pope Alexander VIII: Proceedings of the Conclave that led to his election.|publisher=Pickle Publishing|date=2005|access-date=6 February 2015}}</ref> Known to be an upright man who was generous and possessed a peaceful disposition, he held a profound compassion and attentiveness for the poor which was often squandered and abused by his nepotistic relatives upon whom he generously heaped riches that they, on their own behalf and to the discredit of his papacy, squandered for their own personal ends.<ref name="CE1913"/>

Alexander VIII was almost an octogenarian when elected to the papacy, which lasted only sixteen months, during which time little of importance was done. Louis XIV, whose political situation was now critical, profited by the peaceful dispositions of the new pope, restored [[Avignon]] to him, and renounced the long-abused [[right of asylum]] for the French Embassy.<ref name="CE1913"/>