Birth. July 21 (1), 1791, at palazzo Mobilj, Monte San Giovanni Campano, diocese of Veroli. His parents probably were from the rural bourgeoisie.

Education. Studied at the Seminary of Veroli; and at La Sapienza University, Rome, where he received doctorates ad honorem in theology and in utroque iure, both canon and civil law, July 1808; but after the restoration of the papal government he had to pass again his doctoral exam in Law in October 1814.

Priesthood. Ordained, (no date found), Veroli. Professor pubblico of canon law at the University of Bologna and La Sapienza University, Rome. In 1829, canonist of the Apostolic Penitentiary and substitute secretary of Apostolic Briefs. In 1830, consultor of the S.C. of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs. Sigillatore of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 1832. Secretary of Latin Letters, 1832. Privy chamberlain of His Holiness. Canon of the chapter of the patriarchal Liberian basilica. Prelate referendary, April 18, 1839. Datary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 1839-1847. Protonotary apostolic participantium, 1846-1847. Consultor of the S.C. of Bishops and Regulars, 1834. Secretary of the S.C. of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, January 30, 1843 to July 24, 1847.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of January 17, 1848; received red hat and title of S. Pancrazio, January 20, 1848. Prefect of the Theological Academy of the Roman University. Plenipotentiary to negotiate the concordat with the Grand duke of Tuscany; it was signed in Rome on March 3, 1848, just before the revolution that shook Europe. Prefect of the S.C. of Studies and administrator of the public institutions from April 10, 1848 until his death. When Pope Pius IX escaped to Gaeta, he accompanied him and remained at his side as a trusted advisor.

Death. May 24, 1851, Rome. Exposed in the basilica of S. Lorenzo in Damaso, Rome, where the funeral took place on May 28, 1851, with the participation of Pope Pius IX. The cardinal's remains were buried in his title, S. Pancrazio.

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti", La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1876. Roma : Tipografia dei Fratelli Monaldi, 1875, p. 110; 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. 19 and 51; Weber, Christoph. Kardinäle und Prälaten in den letzten Jahrzehnten des Kirchenstaates : Elite-Rekrutierung, Karriere-Muster u. soziale Zusammensetzung d. kurialen Führungsschicht zur Zeit Pius' IX. (1846-1878). Stuttgart : Hiersemann, 1978. (Päpste und Papsttum; Bd. 13, I-II), II, 528-529.