Born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari (1765-1846), he was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846. Strongly conservative and traditionalist, he opposed democratic and modernizing reforms in the Papal States and throughout Europe, seeing them as fronts for revolutionary leftism, and sought to strengthen the religious and political authority of the papacy. ALS in Italian, signed “D. M. Cappellari,” one page, 7.75 x 11, December 11, 1825. Letter to a priest who requested help to release him from vows, signed at the conclusion by then-Cardinal Cappellari Intersecting folds, scattered toning and foxing, some small edge chips, and ink notation to top left, otherwise very good condition. RRAuction COA.
