It was June of 1552, so the story goes. Membership in the Sacred College of Cardinals had fallen to 14, and all the Roman Catholic world momentarily expected Pope Julius III to call a consistory to replenish the College. When the cardinals and papal courtiers had decided that the time was at hand, a messenger was sent to ask His Holiness the customary question: "Beatissime pater, eras erit consistorium?" (Most blessed father, will there be a consistory tomorrow?) But the Pope, who had built his summer villa in the cool valley that is still...
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