GALLEFFI, PIETRO FRANCESCO. - Cardinal, b. at Cesena on 27 Oct. 1770, d. at Rome on 18 June 1837. Having completed his studies in Rome at the Accademia dei nobili ecclesiastici, he was enrolled by Pius VI, in 1794, among his participating private chamberlains.
Appointed secretary of the Fabbrica di S. Pietro in 1800 and co-visitor of the hospital of S. Spirito in the following year, Pius VII, in the Consistory of 12 July 1803, created him cardinal, assigning him the title of S. Bartolomeo all'Isola and, furthermore, appointing him commendatory abbot of Subisco and prefect of the Congregation of Regular Discipline.
During the period of the Pontiff’s imprisonment, he steadfastly defended the rights of the Church and belonged to the glorious ranks of the black cardinals; he was exiled first to Sedan, then to Charleville, and later to Lodève. Upon the Pope’s return to Rome (1814), he became secretary of memorials and, in 1820, archpriest of the Vatican Basilica. In the same year he received the bishopric of Albano. Camerlengo by the will of Leo XII, he directed the conclave at the death of that Pontiff and of his successor Pius VIII, and in both received votes for the pontificate. Having become subdean of the Sacred College and bishop of Porto e Civitavecchia (1830), he gave further proof of his pastoral zeal and ardent charity.