CAPELLETTI, BENEDETTO. — Cardinal, born in Rieti on 2 November 1764, died there on 15 May 1834. Of noble family, he was educated at Montecassino. He embarked upon an ecclesiastical career, and Pius VII appointed him first ponente of the S. Congregation of Good Government; subsequently, following the motu proprio of 6 July 1816, he became delegate of Viterbo, where, in addition to various other charitable works, he restored the Monte di pietà. From 1819 to 1823 he was delegate in Macerata, then in Urbino and Pesaro until 1829, when Leo XII appointed him governor of Rome, vice-camerlengo, and director general of police.
After the death of Pius VIII (1 December 1830), at a moment when the internal situation of the Papal States was causing concern because of the repercussions that might result from the July Revolution in Paris, C. exercised his high office with prudence and zeal and, through his firm and timely measures, prevented the outbreak of disturbances in the capital of the State. Gregory XVI created him cardinal in pectore at the Consistory of 10 September 1831, and published his appointment on 2 July of the following year. At the Consistory of 29 July 1833 he was preconized bishop of Rieti.