Facchinetti was born 17 September 1608 in Bologna. He was the son of Ludovico Facchinetti (2nd Marquis of Vianino), Senator of Bologna, Ambassador of Bologna to the Holy See) and Violante da Correggio (Countess of Coenzo).[1] He was the great-grand-nephew of Gian Facchinetti, who took the papal throne in 1591 as Pope Innocent IX.
Facchinetti was popular with the other cardinals of the college and there was discussion, according to contemporary John Bargrave,[3] that he might be considered papabile - that is, appropriate for election as pope. This did not eventuate, though he remained popular with the Spanish faction within the college and the French faction had no considerable objection to him.
As a result of his popularity, his family members were appointed to various military and administrative positions. His brother, for example, was appointed as commander of the militia by Pope Innocent X during the second War of Castro.[3]