He was educated at the Collegio Nazareno, the University of Macerata (where he received a doctorate in utroque iuris, both civil and canon law) and finally at the Pontifical Academy of Ecclesiastical Nobles.

He was elected bishop of Viterbo e Tuscania in 1826 and was consecrated that same year by Pope Leo XII.

[3] He participated in the Papal Conclave of 1846, which elected Pope Pius IX.

He was appointed Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals from 1861 to 1862 and was Grand chancellor of the Pontifical Equestrian Orders.

Pianetti died on 30 January 1862, aged 82, in Rome and was buried, according to his will, in the church of San Salvatore in Lauro.