[3] In addition to the publications of the institute, Cattolica published a number of technical and scientific works, and was awarded the teaching position in astronomy at the University of Genoa.

The constant delays in finishing these vessels caused a heated argument in the Chamber of Deputies between Leonardi Cattolica and his predecessor Giovanni Bettolo over who was responsible.

[4][5] While Italy laboured to build a fleet that would outclass Austria-Hungary's, tensions between the two countries were high in 1911 following the outbreak of the Italo-Turkish War, and the Battle of Preveza in particular.

Some Regia Marina commanders were keen on looking for a confrontation with Austria-Hungary, and to prevent hostilities from breaking out Leonardi Cattolica had to intervene personally and meet the Duke of the Abruzzi, fleet commander-in-chief, to direct him not to engage Ottoman ships without explicit orders.

To support Italy's merchant marine he introduced to the Chamber of Deputies in December 1910 a bill to establish a state-subsidised shipping line to serve the Italy–Canada route.

[7] While he was minister Leonardi Cattolica attempted to reform many aspects of Italy's naval infrastructure, from shipbuilding and the management of arsenals to the recruitment and training of seamen.

[8] After he left government he was appointed commander of the Maritime Department of Naples; from 1916 he was president of the Superior Council of the Navy until 1 February 1917,[2] when he was moved into the reserve and awarded the title of country king Victor Emmanuel III.

There was an urgent need to train up anew generation of seamen, so the then Minister of the Navy Alberto del Bono decided to bring all the nautical schools in the country under the jurisdiction of his department.

[12][13] In 1919 a magazine was launched, the Rassegna Marittima Aeronautica illustrata (Illustrated Maritime and Aeronautical Review), for an audience interested in the theoretical and technical details of ships and aircraft in military use.