In 1860, he was referendary of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Grace.

Pope Leo XIII created him a cardinal in the consistory of 11 February 1889.

As protodeacon since 1899, Cardinal Macchi announced the election of cardinal Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto as Pope Pius X at the end of the conclave of 1903 and crowned him on 9 August 1903.

Four years later, Cardinal Macchi died after an illness at the age of 75.

This article about an Italian Catholic cardinal is a stub.