A Powerful ‘Hibernese’: Luke Wadding and His Diplomatic Role in Seventeenth-Century Rome

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to provide a new assessment of the diplomatic role played by the most prominent Irishman in 17th-century Rome: the Franciscan Luke Wadding. Up until now the available analyses on Wadding have focused on his literary and theological activity, with the consequence that, with the exception of one old essay, the ‘diplomatic’ role he played for the Irish Confederates during the years from 1641 to 1649 has been neglected. Indeed, during this crucial period, the Franciscan acted as the agent of the Irish Confederates at the papal curia, thus strengthening his role as the most influential Irishman in Rome. This appointment placed Wadding under growing pressure from Ireland, and brought him to play a seminal role in shaping or influencing the decisions taken by the Holy See towards his country. This essay draws on a series of primary sources which are preserved at the Vatican Library, Vatican Secret Archives, the Archives of the Sacred Congregation ‘de Propaganda Fide’, but also on other Roman archives - like the Archivio Doria Pamphilj - which contains documents never used up until now.