Sources:
Historia della Sacra Real Maestà di Cristina Alessandra Regina di Svetia, pages 134 to 135, by Count Galeazzo Gualdo Priorato, 1656; original at the Getty Research Institute
The history of the sacred and Royal Majesty of Christina Alessandra Queen of Swedland, &c., book 4, translated by John Burbury, 1658; original at the University of Michigan Library
Pope Alexander VII's other letter of the same day to Kristina is here:
The letter:
Carissime in Christo filiæ nostræ Christinæ Sueciæ Reginæ Illustri. ALEXANDER PAPA VII. Carissima in Christo filia nostra salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Quanta sumus in expectatione aduentus Maiestatis tuæ luculenter significabunt Venerabiles fratres Hannibal Thebanus, & Lucas Rauennatum Archiepiscopi, ac Dilecti filij Magistri Inicus Caracciolus Cameræ Apostolicæ Dæcanus, eiusdemque Clericus Philippus Cæsarinus Nostri ad Maiestatem tuă extraordinarij Nuncij. In hac enim gaudij magnitudine vix animo imperare potuimus, vt eius interpretes intra Ecclesiasticæ ditionis fines se tenerent, atque in tuo ingressu lætitiæ, incensæque erga te charitatis summam explicarent. Huius autem voluptatis sensum quoniam tuo in pectore minorem esse haud quaquam putamus, minimè dubitamus quin gratissima etiam tibi futura sit hæc paterni amoris, cupidissimæque voluntatis significatio. Interea suaue est illius dici, ac iucunditatis, cùm te inter faustas omnium gratulationes Roma excepiet, ac tu sapientiæ, quam olim non ex Christi doctrina, sed in Philosophorum ludo dediceras apud stulta huius Mundi, & interdictos, & ignobiles, veros fontes reperieres, & ad Apostolorum exuuias Principum, ac Regnum monumenta, velut de Mundi fastus Crucis Discipulos triumphantes aspicies, iam nunc non exiguam aut leuem partem delibare. Cæterùm ea est nobilitas generis, & præter familiæ decus quæsitæ à singulis eorum, quos ad Maiestatem tuam mittimus laudes, vt per quam difficile apud te futurum sit quid in quoque magis probes, constituere. Modò Deus, cuius verbum faciunt venti, & spiritus procellarum, ipse sit in itinere tuo, ac Maiestati tuæ quas amantissimè impertimur benedictiones largiatur. Datum Romæ apud Sanctam Mariam Maiorem sub Annulo Piscatoris die 24. Octobris M.DC.LV. Pontificatus Nostri Anno Primo.
Natalis Rondininus.
With modernised spelling:
Carissime in Christo filiæ Nostræ, Christinæ Sueciæ Reginæ illustri.
Alexander Papa VII.
Carissima in Christo filia Nostra, salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Quanta sumus in expectatione adventus Majestatis Tuæ luculenter significabunt venerabiles fratres Hannibal Thebanus et Lucas Ravennatum, archiepiscopi, ac dilecti filii magistri Inicus Caracciolus, Cameræ apostolicæ dæcanus, ejusdemque clericus Philippus Cæsarinus, Nostri ad Majestatem Tuam extraordinarii nuntii. In hac enim gaudii magnitudine vix animo imperare potuimus, ut ejus interpretes intra ecclesiasticæ ditionis fines se tenerent, atque in tuo ingressu lætitiæ, incensæque erga te caritatis summam explicarent.
Hujus autem voluptatis sensum quoniam tuo in pectore minorem esse haud quaquam putamus, minime dubitamus quin gratissima etiam tibi futura sit hæc paterni amoris, cupidissimæque voluntatis significatio.
Interea suave est illius dici, ac jucunditatis, cum te inter faustas omnium gratulationes Roma excepiet, ac tu sapientiæ, quam olim non ex Christi doctrina, sed in philosophorum ludo dediceras apud stulta hujus mundi, et interdictos, et ignobiles, veros fontes reperieres, et ad Apostolorum exuvias principum, ac regnum monumenta, velut de mundi fastus Crucis discipulos triumphantes aspicies, jam nunc non exiguam aut levem partem delibare.
Cæterum ea est nobilitas generis, et præter familiæ decus quæsitæ a singulis eorum, quos ad Majestatem Tuam mittimus laudes, ut per quam difficile apud te futurum sit quid in quoque magis probes, constituere. Modo Deus, cujus Verbum faciunt venti, et spiritus procellarum, ipse sit in itinere tuo, ac Majestati Tuæ quas amantissime impertimur benedictiones largiatur. Datum Romæ, apud Sanctam Mariam Majorem sub Annulo Piscatoris, die 24 octobris 1655, pontificatus Nostri anno primo.
Natalis Rondininus.
French translation (my own):
A Notre très chère fille en Christ, l'illustre Reine Christine de Suède.
Pape Alexandre VII.
Notre très chère fille en Christ, Nos salutations et bénédiction apostolique. L'impatience que Nous avons de sa venue sera clairement manifestée par les vénérables frères Annibal de Thèbes et Luc de Ravenne, archevêques, et Nos chers fils, le magistrat Innico Carracciolo, diacre de la Chambre apostolique, et son clerc Philippe Cesarino, Nos nonces extraordinaires auprès de Votre Majesté. Car, dans cette immense joie, Nous ne saurions exiger que ses interprètes se tiennent dans les limites de l'autorité ecclésiastique et qu'à son arrivée, ils lui témoignent la plus grande joie et une charité ardente. Mais, persuadés que ce plaisir n'est en rien moindre dans son cœur, Nous ne doutons pas que cette expression de Notre amour paternel et de Notre désir le plus fervent lui soit également très agréable.
En attendant, il est doux et joyeux d'apprendre que, lorsque Rome l'accueillera au milieu des félicitations de tous, elle possédera désormais une part non négligeable de la sagesse que elle tient autrefois non de la doctrine du Christ, mais de l'école des philosophes, parmi les folies de ce monde; elle aura trouvé les véritables sources, à la fois interdites et ignobles, et elle contemplera les vêtements des Apôtres et les monuments des princes et des rois comme les disciples de la Croix triomphant de l'orgueil du monde.
Pour le reste, c'est la noblesse de lignée et, de surcroît, l'honneur familial de ceux que Nous envoyons à Votre Majesté en témoignage de louanges qui rendent difficile pour elle de choisir ce qu'elle approuve le plus dans chaque cas. Que Dieu, dont la Parole crée les vents et l'esprit des tempêtes, l'accompagne dans son voyage et accorde à Votre Majesté les grâces que Nous lui transmettons avec le plus grand amour. Donnée à Rome, à Sainte-Marie-Majeure, sous l'Anneau du Pêcheur, le 24 octobre 1655, en la première année de Notre pontificat.
Natalis Rondininus.
Swedish translation (my own):
Till Vår käraste dotter i Kristus, den durchlauchtiga Drottning Kristina av Sverige.
Påven Alexander VII.
Vår käraste dotter i Kristus, Våra hälsningar och Vår apostoliska välsignelse. Hur mycket Vi väntar på Ers Majestäts ankomst kommer tydligt att anges av de vördnadsvärda bröderna Annibale av Thebe och Luca av Ravenna, ärkebiskopar, och Våra älskade söner magistraten Innico Carracciolo, diakon för den Apostoliska kammaren, och hans kanslist Filippo Cesarino, Våra nuntier extraordinarie inför Ers Majestät. Ty i denna stora glädje skulle Vi knappast kunna beordra att dess uttolkare skulle hålla sig inom den kyrkliga auktoritetens gränser och att de, vid Er ankomst, skulle uttrycka den största glädje och brinnande kärlek till Er. Men eftersom Vi inte tror att känslan av denna glädje på något sätt är mindre i Ert hjärta, tvivlar Vi inte på att detta uttryck för Vår faderliga kärlek och yttersta vilja också kommer att vara Er mycket välbehagligt.
Under tiden är det ljuvt och glädjande att förnimma att när Rom tar emot Er bland allas glada gratulationer, kommer Ni nu att få en inte ringa del av den visdom som Ni en gång inte hämtade från Kristi lära, utan från filosofernas skola, bland denna världens dåraktiga ting, och Ni kommer att ha funnit de sanna källorna, både förbjudna och oädla, och Ni kommer att se Apostlarnas kläder och furstars och konungars monument som Korsets lärjungar som segrar över världens stolthet.
För övrigt är det släktlinjens ädelhet och, utöver det, familjehedern hos dem som Vi sänder till Ers Majestät i lovord som gör det svårt för Er att avgöra vad Ni mest uppskattar i varje enskilt fall. Må Gud, vars Ord skapar vindar och stormars anda, vara med Er på Er resa och ge Ers Majestät de välsignelser som Vi kärleksfullt delar med Er. Givet i Rom i Santa Maria Maggiore under Fiskarringen, den 24 oktober 1655, under det första året av Vårt pontifikat.
Natalis Rondininus.
English translation (by Burbury):
TO OUR DEAREST DAUGHTER IN CHRIST, CHRISTINA, THE ILLUSTRIOUS QUEEN OF SWEDLAND, ALEXANDER THE VIITH POPE.
Our most dear Daughter in Christ, Greeting and Apostolical benediction.
In what great expectation we are of your Majesties arrival, our venerable Brothers, Hannibal of Thebes, and Luke of Ravenna, Arch-Bishops, and our beloved sons Mr. Inico Caraccioli, Dean of the Apostolical Chamber, and Philip Cesarini Clerk of the same, our extraordinary Nuntii to your Majesty will evidently declare. For in this excesse of joy we could scarce contain our selves, that the interpreters of it might be kept within the limit of Churches Dominions, and expresse at your entrance the summe of our gladnesse and great charity towards you. But because we suppose you as sensible of this joy and content, we doubt not but this intimation of our paternal love, and earnest good will, will likewise be most gratefull to you. In the mean time 'tis a sweet thing to us, to think of the No small or light portion of the pleasure of that day, when Rome shall receive you with the glad congratulations of all, and you finde the true fountains of wisdom, which you formerly have learned, not from the doctrine of Christ, But in the schoole of Philosophers, amongst the foolish things of this world, and the interdicted, and ignoble, and behold at the shrines of the Apostles, the monuments of Princes and Kings, the Disciples of the Crosse triumphing, as it were 'ore the pride and pomp of the World.
For the rest, so well are they descended whom we send to your Majesty, and such praises have they purchased, besides, a noble family, that it will be a hard thing for you to determine what you in each of them shall most like. Now God, whose Word the winds, and the tempests obey, be with you in your journy, and confer on your Majesty the blessings wee most lovingly impart.
Given at Rome at Saint Maries, the greater, under the Ring of the Fisher the 24 of October 1655, in the first year of our Papacy.
Natalis Rondininus.
With modernised spelling:
To Our dearest daughter in Christ, Kristina, the illustrious Queen of Swedeland.
Alexander the VIIth, Pope.
Our most dear daughter in Christ, greeting and apostolical benediction.
In what great expectation We are of Your Majesty's arrival, Our venerable Brothers, Hannibal of Thebes and Luke of Ravenna, archbishops, and Our beloved sons Mr. Innico Carraccioli, dean of the Apostolical Chamber, and Philip Cesarini, clerk of the same, Our extraordinary nuntii to Your Majesty, will evidently declare. For, in this excess of joy, We could scarce contain Ourselves that the interpreters of it might be kept within the limit of Church's dominions and express at your entrance the sum of our gladness and great charity towards you. But, because We suppose you as sensible of this joy and content, we doubt not but this intimation of Our paternal love and earnest good will will likewise be most grateful to you.
In the meantime, 'tis a sweet thing to Us to think of the no small or light portion of the pleasure of that day when Rome shall receive you with the glad congratulations of all, and you find the true fountains of wisdom which you formerly have learned not from the doctrine of Christ, but in the school of philosophers, amongst the foolish things of this world and the interdicted and ignoble, and behold at the shrines of the Apostles, the monuments of princes and kings, the Disciples of the Cross triumphing, as it were, o'er the pride and pomp of the world.
For the rest, so well are they descended whom We send to Your Majesty, and such praises have they purchased, besides, a noble family, that it will be a hard thing for you to determine what you in each of them shall most like. Now God, whose Word the winds and the tempests obey, be with you in your journey and confer on Your Majesty the blessings We most lovingly impart.
Given at Rome at Saint Mary's the Greater, under the Ring of the Fisher, the 24 of October 1655, in the first year of Our papacy.
Natalis Rondininus.
English translation (my own):
To Our dearest daughter in Christ, the Illustrious Queen Kristina of Sweden.
Pope Alexander VII.
Our dearest daughter in Christ, Our greetings and apostolic blessing. How much We are in expectation of the arrival of Your Majesty will be clearly indicated by the venerable brothers Annibale of Thebes and Luca of Ravenna, archbishops, and Our beloved sons the magistrate Innico Carracciolo, deacon of the Apostolic Chamber, and his clerk Filippo Cesarino, Our nuncios extraordinary to Your Majesty. For in this greatness of joy We could scarcely command that its interpreters should keep themselves within the bounds of ecclesiastical authority and that, upon your entry, they should express the utmost joy and ardent charity towards you. But because We do not think that the feeling of this pleasure is in any way less in your heart, we do not doubt that this expression of Our paternal love and most eager will will be most pleasing to you too.
In the meantime, it is sweet and joyful to be told that, when Rome will receive you amidst the happy congratulations of all, you will now have no small or slight part of the wisdom which you once had derived not from the doctrine of Christ, but in the school of philosophers, among the foolish things of this world, and you will have found the true sources, both forbidden and ignoble, and you will look upon the vestments of the Apostles, and the monuments of princes and kings as the disciples of the Cross triumphing over the pride of the world.
For the rest, it is the nobility of lineage and, besides that, the honour of family of those whom We send to Your Majesty in praise that makes it difficult for you to decide what you approve of most in each case. Now may God, whose Word makes the winds and the spirit of storms, be with you on your journey and grant to Your Majesty the blessings which We most lovingly impart. Given at Rome at Santa Maria Maggiore under the Ring of the Fisherman, on October 24, 1655, in the first year of Our pontificate.
Natalis Rondininus.
Above: Kristina.
Above: Pope Alexander VII.
Notes: content = contentment.
grateful = pleasing to the mind or senses; agreeable, pleasant, welcome.
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