Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The History of the Popes From the Close of the Middle Ages, Vol. 36: Drawn From the Secret Archives of the Vatican and Other Original Sources
At the time of Benedict XIV.'s election to the Papal throne Portugal was still feeling the effects of the conflict of 1728. The new Pope found that only the bishoprics of Lisbon and Leiria were occupied. Ossonoba-Faro-Silves had been left vacant since 1738, Braga and Elvas since 1728, Coimbra since 1718, Oporto since 1716, Evora since 1715. Benedict immediately hastened to put an end to this disgraceful state of affairs, no matter at what cost. New Bishops were presented to Ossonoba-Faro-Silves, Miranda-Braganza, and Portalegre on December 19th, 1740, to Evora on December 10th, to Lamego and Viseu on January 2nd, 1741, to Coimbra on February 12th, to Oporto on March 12th, to Braga and Guarda on November 26th, 1742. Whereas formerly in Papal edicts it was announced that the Pope was filling the vacant sees "at the request" of the king, Benedict XIV. allowed it to be announced henceforward as being done "on the presentation" of the king.
In other ways too Benedict XIV. did all he could to win the good will of the Portuguese monarch. In Lisbon great value was laid on outward show and titles. To please the king the Patriarch of the metropolis had had his Canons clothed almost like Cardinals, and the Patriarch himself showed in his arms the Papal tiara with the two keys; to be protected against these false keys, suggested the French envoy, the locks in the gates of Paradise would have to be altered.
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