Italian cardinal; distinguished papal diplomat. One of the most influential of 19th Century Catholic Church prelates. Archbishop of Genoa. Nuncio in France. Created a cardinal in 1831. Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Religious Discipline. Librarian of the Holy Roman Church. Papal Secretary of State (1836-46). Secretary of Secret Briefs. Considered papabile in the Conclave of 1846 (in which Pius IX was elected). Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Rites and Ceremonies. Grand Prior of the Sovereign Equestrian Order of St. John of Jerusalem and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Equestrian Orders.

ALS - Autograph Letter Signed, 29 November 1845. Two sides of a sheet of paper (measure 5”x7.5”) bearing a blind embossed BATH stationery stamp in the upper left. Lambruschini, as papal secretary of state, writes from the Quirinale to an unknown diplomat simply addressed as Excellence. Extremely intriguing letter in which he acknowledges receipt by the Pope of a letter from Prince Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859) one-time Interior Minister of the Austrian Empire as well as a copy of a letter from Count Karl Nesselrode of Russia then serving in a diplomatic post in Milan. There also is a reference to Monsignor Giuseppe Santucci Fibietti who was apostolic delegate in Benevento (1834-38). Following his time in Benevento, Santucci was recalled to Rome where he served as clerk of the Apostolic Chamber. The letter also makes reference to a dispatch received from the Baron Johann von Wessenberg-Ampringen

Letter reads:  The Holy Father read the dispatch of the incomparable Lord Prince of Metternich, which contained a copy of the letter from the Count Nesselrode to the Count of Meden. I returned the confidential delivery to His Holiness shortly before the Consistory and His Holiness sent back everything this morning via Monsignor Santucci. Thus, I have not have any other reason to see His Holiness again. However, I know that He was most pleased by the first communique and intended to profit from the advice. He said nothing about the second message and, therefore, I am unable to tell Your Excellency the impression that the correspondence from the Autocrat Prime Minister may have made on the mind of the Holy Father.  Tomorrow I will have the honor to see His Holiness again.  I will take cognizance of Baron Wessenberg’s dispatch and we will talk about it later. With most distinct and heartfelt consideration, I am honored to confirm myself of Your Excellency. From the Quirinale, 29 November 1845.