Giovanni Maria Gabrielli

He started an academic career and taught philosophy and theology in a number of Cistercian houses of study for twenty years, in Italy, France and Spain.

He was widely considered an eminent theologian and received by Pope Innocent XI (1676–1689) several offers of promotion to the episcopate, which he all declined.

During the reign of Innocent XII (1691–1700) Giovanni Maria Gabrielli's Curial career further progressed, and he served as Qualificator of the Holy Office and Prefect of Studies of the Urbanian College of Propaganda Fide in Rome.

Amidst the turmoil of what was regarded as a political intrigue rather than a theological case, cardinal Gabrielli staunchly defended Fénelon's viewpoints and established with him an epistolar friendship that lasted until his death.

The Pope, who also privately supported Fénelon's opinion, held Gabrielli in great esteem and created him cardinal priest in the consistory of 14 November 1699;[1] in a letter to the Abbé de Chanterac, Fénelon's agent in Rome, Gabrielli acknowledged that this appointment was, in fact, largely due to his role in the affaire des Maximes.