Giovanni Battista Ciampoli

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Ottavio Leoni, Giovanni Ciampoli, Papal Secretary, 1627, NGA 936.jpg

Giovanni Battista Ciampoli (* 1589 in Florence , † 1643 in Jesi , Marken ) was an Italian clergyman and close friend of Galileo Galilei .

Ciampoli had made a quick career after his training and entered the service of the Vatican; Pope Gregory XV appointed him segretario dei brevi . He re-established the Sapienza , the old Roman university, and became a member of the famous Accademia dei Lincei . He brought Benedetto Castelli , a student of Galileo, to the Sapienza. He also held a position of trust under Pope Urban VIII , was at times considered a candidate for cardinal , but fell out of favor in 1632 because the Pope felt he had been betrayed (because of the fall of Galileo or because of the Spanish problems). Ciampoli was sent to Montalto delle Marche , where he served as governor until his death.

Ciampoli has become known as a long-time and loyal friend of Galileo, whom he unconditionally adored. He was the middleman who informed the Duke of Tuscany about the state of affairs in the case of the first trial (1615/16) against Galileo. Ciampoli - an avowed opponent of the Jesuits - had probably also used his influence when the imprimatur for the dialogue was to be granted . Possibly it was his misjudgment of the situation that escalated the confrontation between the Vatican and Galileo in 1632.