Cardinal, born near Genoa, 1776; died Rome, Italy, 1854. He held important offices in the Barnabite Order and as secretary of the Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs was influential in concluding concordats with Naples, Bavaria and other states. Appointed Archbishop of Genoa, 1819, he was made cardinal, 1831, by Gregory XVI, and later, Secretary of State, in which office he earned a reputation as one of the greatest diplomats of the Holy See. In the papal conclave of 1846 he received a majority of votes in the first ballot, but not enough for election. After the election of Pius IX he resigned his office for that of secretary of Briefs; later Bishop of Porto and Santa Rufina, and Abbot of Farfa.