- Decio Azzolino
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Decio Azzolino (April 11, 1623 – June 8, 1689), generally known as the Younger, was an Italian cardinal.
He was born at Fermo, the son of Pompeo Azzolino and Giulia Ruffo, and great-nephew of Cardinal Decio Azzolino the Elder. He received doctorates in philosophy, juridics and theology from Fermo University. These skills among others led to him becoming the principal Vatican decoder, the person who cracked the ciphers most high-profile people used in their letters. In 1654 because of this service he rendered to the pope he was created a Cardinal of Sant'Adriano al Foro (Curia Julia), Rome.
He was the leader of the liberal movement Squadrone Volante as well as Christina of Sweden's representative within the Catholic Church. After her death, Azzolino inherited numerous of her artworks, including Correggio's Danaë and Titian's Venus and Adonis.
He died in Rome and is buried in the oratorium of the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella.It is thought that he and Christina were in love with one another although their relationship was never made public.
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