He supported the cause of Italian reunification at a time when his diocese was under Austrian rule, although he defended the temporal powers of the Pope.

[5] Corti was a popular bishop, and when he endorsed union with Italy this helped to win supporters to the cause in Mantua.

Fortunately part of the relic had been detached by the princely family of Gonzaga and held in their chapel, and with this the traditional rites continued at Saint Andrews.

[8] During the Second Italian War of Independence of 1859, in which France supported Kingdom of Sardinia, the Austrians retained control of the east of the province including the city of Mantua.

[9] However, Corti sang a Te Deum for the unification of Italy, and said he hoped the Pope would voluntarily give up his temporal power.

[4] After a three-year gap he was succeeded by Pietro Rota, who tried to restore the diocese to orthodoxy, and was therefore not allowed by the civil authorities to take his seat.