Federico Baldeschi Colonna

Federico Ubaldo Baldeschi Colonna (2 September 1625 – 4 October 1691) was an Italian Catholic Cardinal who was adopted by the noble Colonna family.

Early life

He was born on September 2, 1624, as Federico Ubaldo Baldeschi in Perugia, the son of Jacopo Baldeschi and Artemisia della Concia. The history of his education is unclear but he was called to Rome as a young man to assist Cardinal Giovanni Giacomo Panciroli. With Panciroli's patronage he was appointed Governor first of Faenza, then of Sabina and then finally of Fabriano. Soon after he was appointed referendary of the Tribunals of the Apostolic Signature of Justice and of Grace.

Ecclesiastical career In 1665, at the age of 40, Baldeschi was elected Archbishop of Caesarea and only days later he was appointed Nuncio in Switzerland, a position he held until 1668. In 1668, he was appointed secretary of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide. In early 1673, he was appointed an assessor of the Roman Inquisition.

He also served as the principal co-consecrator of: