BOFONDI, GIUSEPPE. - Cardinal, b. into a patrician family at Forlì on 24 Oct. 1795, d. at Rome on 2 Dec. 1867. A learned and cultivated man, he entered the ecclesiastical career, devoting himself particularly to jurisprudence. He was dean of the S. Romana Rota when Pio IX, who esteemed him for his integrity of character, calm tenacity, and moderate, gradual reformism, created him cardinal deacon of the title of S. Cesareo on 11 June 1847 and, in Dec., sent him to govern the troubled legation of Ravenna. On 18 Jan. 1848 he was called to succeed Ferretti as secretary of State. In this office, rendered more arduous by the delicate moment, he gave proof of ability and moderation, winning liberal sympathies through measures intended to strengthen the papal militias, while at the same time frankly deploring, in the circular of 28 Feb., the demonstrations against the religious Congregations. Replaced by Antonelli (10 March 1848), he followed the Pope to Gaeta and, after the restoration of pontifical government, held important offices in the Congregation of Studies and in the presidency of the Census.
BOFONDI, GIUSEPPE
BIBL.: E. Pougeois, Histoire de Pie IX, son pontificat et son siècle, I, Parigi 1877, p. 385; F. Cristofori, Storia dei cardinali, Roma 1888, p. 227; L. Jadin, s. V. in DHG, IX, cols. 401.
Cite this article
“BOFONDI, GIUSEPPE.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. II (1949), p. 1013. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/bofondi-giuseppe.