time, Richelieu became a friend of François Leclerc du Tremblay (better known as "Père Joseph or "Father Joseph"), a Capuchin friar, who would later become a close confidant. Because of his closeness to Richelieu, and the grey colour of his robes, Father Joseph was nicknamed L'éminence grise . Later, Richelieu often used him as an agent during diplomatic negotiations.

Rise to power