Pope Innocent XII He raised him to the rank of cardinalIn the consistory December 19th 1698. In the meantime, on January 27th he was transferred to the episcopal office of Ferrara With the personal title of Archbishop, obtaining from that same date the insult of extraordinary apostolic nuncio to the Polish diet for the election of a new king. January 5th 1699 he obtained the red cap and the title of the saints Giovanni and Paolo, taking part in 1700 to the conclave that elected Pope Clement XI. The new pontiff appointed him Cardinal Secretary of State by keeping him in office from 3 December 1700 March 19th 1721. Resignation from the diocese of Ferrara from 14 March 1701, became commander of a rich abbey of Cremona.