Innocent XIII, né Michael Angelo Conti (Poli, near Rome, May 13, 1655 - Rome, March 7, 1724), pope from 1721 to 1724, became cardinal under Clement XI in 1706. From 1697 to 1710 he acted as papal nuncio to the Kingdom of Portugal, where he is believed to have formed those unfavourable impressions of the Jesuits which afterwards influenced his conduct towards them. In 1721 his high reputation for ability, learning, purity, and a kindly disposition secured his election to succeed Clement XI. His pontificate was prosperous, but comparatively uneventful.
He prohibited the Jesuits from prosecuting their mission in China, and ordered that no new members should be received into the order. This indication of his sympathies encouraged some French bishops to approach him with a petition for the recall of the bull "Unigenitus" by which Jansenism had been condemned; the request, however, was peremptorily denied.
Innocent XIII, like his predecessor showed much favour to the English Pretender "James III", and liberally supported him. He was succeeded by Benedict XIII.
InnocentXIII, eldest child of Charles Conti, Duke of Poli, and Isabella Muti, was born at Rome on the 13th of May, 1655.
Innocent well understood John's intention, and he as pontiff would grant nothing that was prejudicial to the Roman court, and which might displease the three great courts, jealous for the maintenance of their peculiar privileges.
Innocent, to manifest the affection that he bore for that order, commanded the ceremony to be celebrated in the usual form, declaring his desire to preside himself at that ceremony, which took place in church of the Aracoeli, on the 15th of May, 1723.
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