Luigi Jacobini

Born in Genzano, Lodovico Jacobini studied at the seminary in Albano before being ordained to the priesthood in Rome on 23 September 1854.

He was raised to the rank of Domestic Prelate of His Holiness, and also became Secretary of the Congregations of Propaganda Fide, which at that times also was responsible for relations with Oriental Rites.

In 1867, he was charged with the weighty task of gathering and publishing the answers of the world's bishops to the questionnaire for the preparation of the First Vatican Council.

Pope Leo XIII created Jacobini Cardinal-Priest of S Maria della Vittoria in the consistory of 19 September 1879.

On 16 December of that same year, Jacobini was appointed Vatican Secretary of State (essentially the Pope's prime minister) and Administrator of the Wealth of the Holy See.