He was educated by the Fathers of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri and obtained a doctorate of law.
In 1641, Pope Urban elevated Cesi to Cardinal and made him Cardinal-Priest of San Marcello al Corso the following year.
When Urban died, Cesi participated in the Papal conclave of 1644, which elected Pope Innocent X.
Between 1651 and 1652 he was appointed Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals and he participated in the conclave of 1655, which elected Pope Alexander VII.
Cesi died the following year on 30 January 1656 in his Roman palace and was buried in the church of Santa Prassede, Rome.