The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church

Biographical Dictionary
Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903)
Consistory of September 19, 1879 (II)

meglia.jpg

(11) 1. MEGLIA, Pier Francesco
(1810-1883)

Birth. November 3, 1810, S. Stefano al Mare, diocese of Ventimiglia. Son of Stefano Meglia and Maria Caterina Garibaldi.

Education. Studied at the Seminary of Genoa; later, at the Seminary of Savona; and finally, at La Sapienza University, Rome, where he earned a doctorate in utroque iuris, both civil and canon law, on May 23, 1843.

Priesthood. Ordained, September 24, 1836, Rome. Further studies, Rome. Secretary of nunciature in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies; auditor of nunciature in France and, later, chargé d'affaires of the Holy See; chamberlain supernumerary of His Holiness.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Damasco, September 22, 1864. Consecrated, September 25, 1864, Sistine Chapel, at the Vatican, by Pope Pius IX, assisted by Giuseppe Berardi, titular archbishop of Nicea, substitute of the Secretariat of State, and by Francesco Marinelli, O.S.A., titular bishop of Porfireone, papal sacristan. In the same ceremony was consecrated future Cardinal Gaspard Marmillod. Named nuncio before the Mexican Emperor, October 1, 1864. Apostolic delegate in Central America and the Mexican Empire, October 1, 1864. He had to flee Mexico City after receiving death threats, traveling first to Guatemala, then to Nicaragua and ultimately to Italy. Nuncio to the Kingdom of Bavaria, October 26, 1866. Nuncio to the French Republic, July 10, 1874. As nuncio to France, he crowned the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 19, 1879; received red hat and title of Ss. Silvestro e Martirio ai Monti in the consistory of February 27, 1880. Member of the Council for the Administration of the Wealth of the Apostolic See, December 21, 1880.

Death. March 31, 1883, Rome. Exposed in the church of S. Maria in Portico; and buried in his family's tomb in the cemetery of S. Stefano al Mare. Later, his remains were moved to the local parish church (1).

Webgraphy. His portrait and arms, Araldica Vaticana.

(1). This is the text of the inscription on his monument, kindly provided by Mr. Eman Bonnici, from Malta:

QUI RIPOSANO LE OSSA
DI PIER FRANCESCO MEGLIA
CARDINALE DI S. R. CHIESA
DEL TITOLO DEI S. S. SILVESTRO E MARTINO AI MONTI
NATO IN S. STEFANO AL MARE DIOCESI DI VENTIMIGLIA LI 2 NOVEMBRE 1810
MORTO IN ROMA LI 31 MARZO 1883
⟨·⟩
STUDIÒ NEL SEMINARIO DI GENOVA E SAVONA
EBBE ALLA SAPIENZA IN ROMA LA LAUREA IN AMBE LE LEGGI
FREQUENTÒ LO STUDIO DELLA S. C. DEL CONCILIO
NEL 1844 FU NOMINATO SEGRETARIO DI M. GARIBALDI NUNZIO APO IN NAPOLI
NEL 1850 LO SEGUI A PARIGI
QUIVI FU PROMOSSO ADDITORE NELLA NUNZIATURA NEL 1856
E NEL 1861 FU NOMINATO INCARICATO D’AFFARI DELLA S. SEDE
PAPA PIO IX NEL 1864 LO DESTINA NUNZIO APOSTOLICO
AL MESSICO PRESSO L’IMPERATORE MASSIMILIANO
NEL 1866 FU TRASFERITO A MONACO DI BAVIERA PER LO STESSO OFFICIO
DI QUI ALLA NUNZIATURA APCA DI PARIGI NEL 1874
NEL 19 SETTEMBRE 1879 DA LEONE XIII FU ELEVATO
ALLA DIGNITÀ CARDINALIZIA
REQUIESCAT IN PACE


cattani8.jpg

(12) 2. CATTANI, Giacomo
(1823-1887)

Birth. January 13, 1823, Brisighella, diocese of Faenza (1) . From a noble family titular of a marquisate. Son of Marquis Paolo Cattani and Anna Fabri. Nephew of Domenico Cattani, assessor of the Holy Office (1835-1838).

Education. Studied at the Seminary of Faenza; then, at the Pontifical Roman Seminary of S. Apollinare, where he obtained a doctorate in philosophy on September 5, 1842; and in theology on September 12, 1845; and later, at the Pontifical Academy of Ecclesiastical Nobles, Rome, where he studied diplomacy.

Priesthood. Ordained, September 20, 1845, in Brisighella; celebrated his first Mass on the following day. Further studies in Rome. Canon of the patriarchal Lateran basilica in 1852. Domestic prelate of His Holiness. Internuncio to the Netherlands on May 2, 1866; presented his letters of credence the following June 14. Named nuncio to Belgium, March 13, 1868.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Ancyra, March 16, 1868. Consecrated, July 12, 1868, patriarchal Lateran basilica, Rome, by Cardinal Costantino Patrizi Naro, bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina, secretary of the Supreme S.C. of the Holy Office, assisted by Pietro de Villanova Castellacci, titular archbishop of Petra in Palestina, vice-gerent of Rome, and by Antonio Rossi Vaccari, titular archbishop of Rodi, dean of the chapter of the patriarchal Lateran basilica. Secretary of the S.C. of the Council, April 27, 1875. Nuncio to Spain, February 20, 1877; he arrived in Madrid on the following March 24.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 19, 1879; the pope sent him the red biretta with an apostolic brief of September 20; returned from Madrid in November 1879; received red hat on February 27, 1880; and title of S. Balbina in the consistory of February 27, 1880. Transferred to the metropolitan see of Ravenna, September 22, 1879; received the pallium on that same day; made his solemn entrance in the archdiocese on March 23, 1880. He made two pastoral visits, in 1881 and 1884, to the entire archdiocese.

Death. February 14, 1887, at 1:30 a.m., after a long and painful illness, Ravenna. Exposed in the metropolitan cathedral of Ravenna and buried, temporarily, in the city's cemetery.

Bibliography. "Giacomo Cattani" in "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1903, Città del Vaticano : Tipografia poliglotta vaticana, 1903, p. 184; LeBlanc, Jean. Dictionnaire biographique des cardinaux du XIXe siècle : contribution à l'histoire du Sacré Collège sous les pontificats de Pie VII, Léon XII, Pie VIII, Grégoire XVI, Pie IX et Léon XIII, 1800-1903. Montréal : Wilson & Lafleur, 2007. (Collection Gratianus. Série instruments de recherche), p. 234-235; Lega, Benedetto, "Card. Giacomo Cattani" in La Pontificia Università lateranense : profilo della sua storia, dei suoi maestri, e dei suoi discepoli. Roma : Libreria editrice della Pontificia Università lateranense, 1963, p. 404; L'Osservatore Romano [electronic resource]. Città del Vaticano : L'Osservatore Romano, XXVII, n. 37 (February 16, 1887), p. 3; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 29, 46, 99-100 and 477.

Webgraphy. Cardinale Giacomo Cattani Brisighellese, Brisighella ieri e oggi, domenica 30 dicembre 2012; biographical entry, in Italian, Annuario Pontificio per l'anno 1882, p. 215; his engraving, Araldica Vaticana.

(1) This is according to all the sources consulted except Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 99; and Lega, "Card. Giacomo Cattani" in La Pontificia Università lateranense, which say that he was born on January 23, 1823.


jacobinil.jpg

(13) 3. JACOBINI, Lodovico
(1832-1887)

Birth. January 6, 1832, Genzano, diocese of Albano. Son of Andrea Raimondo Jacobini, a wealthy landowner very devoted to the Papacy, and Ottavia Jacobini, who were cousins in the second degree. Related to Cardinal Angelo Jacobini (1882). Nephew on his mother's side of Camillo Jacobini (1791-1854), minister of Comerce and Publis Works of Pope Pius IX in 1850. His first name is also listed as Luigi.

Education. Studied at the Seminary of Albano; and at Sapienza University, Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in theology on July 20, 1857; and a doctorate in utroque iuris, both civil and canon law, on June 25, 1858.

Priesthood. Ordained, September 23, 1854, Rome. Further studies, Rome, 1854-1858. Staff member of the secretariat of Ecclesiastical Affairs. Domestic prelate of His Holiness. Secretary of the S.C. of Propaganda Fide, Oriental rites. Secretary of the first commission for the preparation of the Syllabus, 1862. Ablegato in Spain. Canon of the patriarchal Lateran basilica, Rome. Referendary of the Tribunals of the Apostolic Signature of Justice and of Grace. Protonotary apostolic de numero participantium. Charged with the gathering and publication in one volume of the answers of the world bishops to the questionnaire for the preparation of the ecumenical council, 1867. Secretary of the preparatory commission for the church discipline of the First Vatican Council; under secretary of the council, 1869-1870.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Tessalonica, March 20, 1874. Consecrated, March 24, 1874, patriarchal Lateran basilica, Rome, by Cardinal Costantino Patrizi, bishop of Ostia e Velletri, dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, assisted by Pietro de Villanova Castellacci, titular archbishop of Petra, and by Antonio Rossi Vaccari, titular archbishop of Colosse. Nuncio in Austria, March 27, 1874.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 19, 1879; received red hat and title of S. Maria della Vittoria in the consistory of December 16, 1880. Decorated with the grand cross of the Austrian Order of Sankt Stefan, 1880. Secretary of State and administrator of the Wealth of the Holy See, December 16, 1880 until his death.

Death. February 28, 1887, a few minutes after noon, Rome, after suffering from gout for nearly two years and which eventually caused his death after affecting his chest; the illness had greatly diminished la possibilità di governo ed azione (1). Exposed in his cardinalitial title; and buried in the Chapel of the S.C. of Propaganda Fide, Campo Verano Cemetery, Rome. The solemn funeral, celebrated by Alessandro Sanminiatelli Zabarella, titular archbishop of Tiana, papal almoner, took place on March 6, 1887 at 10 a.m., in the church of S. Maria Traspontina with the attendance of twenty-one cardinals.

Bibliography. LeBlanc, Jean. Dictionnaire biographique des cardinaux du XIXe siècle : contribution à l'histoire du Sacré Collège sous les pontificats de Pie VII, Léon XII, Pie VIII, Grégoire XVI, Pie IX et Léon XIII, 1800-1903. Montréal : Wilson & Lafleur, 2007. (Collection Gratianus. Série instruments de recherche), p. 487-490; L'Osservatore Romano [electronic resource]. Città del Vaticano : L'Osservatore Romano, XXVII, n. 48 ( March 1, 1887), p. 3; XXVII, n. 49 (March 2, 1887), p. 1; XXVII, n. 53 (March 6, 1887), p. 3; Squicciarini, Donato. Nunzi apostolici a Vienna. Città del Vaticano : Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1998, pp. 222-224.

Webgraphy. Biography by Carlo M. Fiorentino, in Italian, Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani - Volume 61 (2004), Treccani; his engraving and biography, in Italian, Wikipedia; his arms and engraving, Araldica Vaticana.

(1) Squicciarini, Nunzi apostolici a Vienna, p. 224.


sanguigni1.jpg

(14) 4. SANGUIGNI, Domenico
(1809-1882)

Birth. June 27, 1809, Terracina. From an important family. Received the sacrament of confirmation, June 10, 1815. An elder brother, Vincenzo, married Rosa Antonelli, sister of Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli (1847), secretary of State of Pope Pius IX.

Education. Obtained a doctorate in utroque iuris, both canon and civil law.

Priesthood. Ordained (no information found). Auditor of the nunciature in the Kingdom of Naples. Auditor of the nunciature in Portugal. Internuncio in Brazil.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Tarso, June 15, 1874. Consecrated, August 23, 1874, church of S. Andrea al Quirinale, Rome, by Cardinal Alessandro Franchi, prefect of the S.C. for the Propagation of the Faith, assisted by Pietro Giannelli, titular archbishop of Sardes, secretary of the S.C. of the Council, and by Alessandro Sanminiatelli Zabarella, titular archbishop of Tiana, Privy almoner of His Holiness. Named nuncio in Portugal, August 25, 1874.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 19, 1879; received red hat and title of S. Pudenziana in the consistory of February 27, 1880.

Death. Monday November 20, 1882, at 4:20 a.m., Rome. Exposed in his title, where the funeral took place on Thursday November 23, 1882, celebrated by Pierre-Hector Coullié, bishop of Orléans; at the end of the ceremony, Cardinal Camillo Di Pietro, bishop of Ostia e Velletri, dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, imparted the absolution. The remains of the late cardinal were buried, temporarily, in Campo Verano Cemetery, Rome (1).

Bibliography. "Domenico Sanguigni" in "Cardinali defunti." La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1903. Città del Vaticano : Tipografia Poliglotta Vaticana, 1903, p. 176-177; LeBlanc, Jean. Dictionnaire biographique des cardinaux du XIXe siècle : contribution à l'histoire du Sacré Collège sous les pontificats de Pie VII, Léon XII, Pie VIII, Grégoire XVI, Pie IX et Léon XIII, 1800-1903. Montréal : Wilson & Lafleur, 2007. (Collection Gratianus. Série instruments de recherche), p. 831; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recientoris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 29, 52 and 537.

(1) This is the text of the inscription of his memorial, kindly provided by Mr. Eman Bonnici, from Malta:

HEIC IN PACE CHRISTI QVIESCIT
DOMINICVS ARCHIEP SANGVIGNI
DOMO ANXVRE
QVI AD BRASILIAE IMPERATOREM ET LVSITANIAE REGEM
PONTIFICIA LEGATIONE FVNCTVS
A LEONE XIII
IN PATRVM CARDINALIVM COLLEGIVM
TITVLO DIVAE PVDENTIANAE
COOPTARI PROMERVIT
XIII KAL OCT MDCCCLXXIX
VIXIT AN LXXIII M IV D XXIV
VITA EXCESSIT
XII KAL DECEMBRES MDCCCLXXXII
CAIETANVS COMES POCCIVS
PRONEPOS HAERES
P

Note. The memorial indicates that he died in December but the sources consulted say that he died in November.

Top Consistories Catalogs Home

©1998-2022 Salvador Miranda.