He worked in pastoral care in the diocese of Rome and as a staff member of the Apostolic Dataria from 1891 until 1918.

He was created Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness on 15 November 1901 and was reappointed on 16 December 1903 and again on 9 September 1914.

After ten years as a Cardinal-Deacon he opted to become a member of the order of cardinal priests.

Reflecting the controversy over eugenics a few years earlier in Germany, it said the Church granted "maximum freedom" even to those afflicted "by chronic hereditary disorders".

It said the Church could encourage its missionaries "to prevent such hybrid unions for the wise hygienic and social motivations" the government had outlined.