Clergyman; born in Merciano,
Italy, July 21, 1831.
His education from early childhood was under the direction of
Archbishop Pecci, subsequently
Pope Leo XIII.
After finishing his theological studies he became
Professor
[
70]
of Dogmatic Theology at
Urban College of the Propaganda,
Rome; was consecrated titular archbishop of
Lepanto in 1888; represented
Pope Leo at the centenary of the
Roman Catholic hierarchy in the
United States, celebrated in
Baltimore; and was the first Papal delegate to the
United States (1893-96). Though in a delicate position, he manifested great wisdom and succeeded in settling several serious differences which had arisen in the
Church in the
United States.
He was elevated to the cardinalate in 1895; appointed president of the Academy of Noble Ecclesiastics; and in July, 1900, made prefect of the
Propaganda.