Christina of Sweden

Christina (Kristina) (December 18, 1626 – April 19, 1689), later known as Maria Christina Alexandra and sometimes Count Dohna, was Queen regnant of Sweden from 1632 to 1654. She was the only legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolf. As the heiress presumptive she succeeded her father to the throne of Sweden upon his death at the Battle of Lützen (November 6, 1632) during Sweden's intervention in Germany in the Thirty Years' War.

Setting off to Rome

Upon conversion she took a new name Maria Christina Alexandra and moved to Rome, where her wealth and former position made her a centre of society. Her status as the most notable convert to Catholicism of the age, and as the most famous woman at the time (even exceeding Elizabeth I of England), made it possible for her to ignore or flout the most common requirements of obeisance to the Catholic faith. She herself remarked that her Catholic faith was not of the common order; indeed, before converting she had queried from church officials how strictly she would be expected to obey the church's common observances, and received reassurances.

Related Topics:
Rome - Elizabeth I of England

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While in Rome, she engaged in numerous world-political intrigues, particularly in concert with the Catholic Church's clandestine group of troubleshooters, the squadrones volantes. Growing wearied of acting behind the scenes in her later years, she made several attempts to gain the crown of a country, even launching an abortive attempt to reclaim the Swedish throne.

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She left her large and important library to the Papacy on her death (April 19, 1689).

Related Topics:
Papacy - April 19 - 1689

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She is only one of four women to be given the honour of being buried in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, alongside the remains of the popes. A monument to her was carved later on and adorns a column close to the permanent display of Michelangelo's Pietà.

Related Topics:
St. Peter's Basilica - Michelangelo's ''Pietà''

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