Liborio Romano

Liborio Romano was born in Patù, near Santa Maria di Leuca (Apulia), then part of the Kingdom of Naples.

In 1848 he returned to Naples and was instrumental in the events leading King Ferdinand II to issue a Constitution.

Six years later, with Giuseppe Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand ongoing, he was appointed Prefect of Police by King Francis II.

While Garibaldi's victories were nearing the end of the Kingdom, on 14 July 1860 he was named Minister of the Interior and Police: Romano, realising the inevitability of the end, began secret contacts with Count Cavour, the Piedmontese Prime Minister, and Garibaldi, preparing the switching of southern Italy into Savoy's hands.

He suggested to King Francis that he move to the fortress of Gaeta, in order to avoid riots, destruction and useless suffering to the Neapolitan population.