214.] While he was yet a layman, Gregory became the father of one son, Giacomo.

Born out of wedlock, he was yet acknowledged as a member of the Buoncompagno family, and admitted under this name into the Venetian nobility.[67] The Pope manifested paternal weakness in favor of his offspring.

He brought the young man to Rome, and made him Governatore di Santa Chiesa with a salary of 10,000 ducats.

The Jesuits and other spiritual persons scented danger.

They persuaded the Holy Father that conscience and honor required the alienation of his bastard from the sacred city.