Carlo Rossetti (Roscetti) (1614 – 23 November 1681) was an Italian Catholic Cardinal, born of the noble Rossetti family in Ferrara. Earlier in his career he went to London as a secret nuncio on behalf of Pope Urban VIII. While in London, he was addressed as Lord Charles Rossetti and was referred to as Prince Rossetti, using his title as Italian nobility for his cover, rather than as a representative of the Roman Catholic Church to avoid persecution. Early life Born of the noble Roscetti family in Ferrara, (to see: "La giusta Statera de porporati, dove s'intende la vita la nascita, adherenza di ciascun cardinale hoggi vivente etc, 1650". He was baptized in the Cathedral of S. Giorgio Martire on 26 March 1614. He was named Canon of the Cathedral of Ferrara, and was granted a papal dispensation because he was below the minimum age. Rossetti went to Rome as a young man. At the age of eighteen he engaged in a public disputation (i.e. took his Bacculaureate) in philosophy and theology, in the presence of Cardinal Francesco Barberini, the nephew of Pope Urban VIII. He then studied law at the University of Bologna, and took his degree in utroque iure (both Canon Law and Civil Law). Cardinal Barberini sang his praises to Pope Urban VIII, who appointed him a prelate and referendary of the Two Signatures (Grace and Justice); this gave Rossetti the right to practice law before the Roman courts. He served Pope Urban VIII and his Barberini family, especially his nephews Francesco Barberini and Antonio Barberini. Nuncio in London The Barberini were impressed by his vigour, wit and discernment and sent him as nuncio first to Germany, then to England as successor to the papal agent, George Con, who was gravely ill. There he provided financial support to Irish Catholics fighting against the Parliament of England. He arrived in August 1639. His mission was undertaken under a transparent disguise, as one Italian historian recalled: Rossetti's mission was considered especially dangerous, given the conflict between the Church and England at the time. Even contemporary Italian authors dared not publish his real identity for fear the prelate's life may be threatened. But Rossetti's clandestine mission was successful in many regards. He managed to convince some at the English court to banish Roman Catholic priests from England, rather than execute them. When contemporary detractors suggested King Charles I of England