GONZAGA VALENTI, LUIGI. - Cardinal, b. at Revere (Mantova) on 15 Oct. 1725, d. at Roma on 29 Dec. 1808. Nephew of Silvio V. G., Secretary of State to Benedetto XIV, he was appointed by that same Pontiff supernumerary secret chamberlain, consultor of Rites, apostolic protonotary, and president of the Apostolic Camera. Clemente XIII created him titular archbishop of Cesarea and apostolic nuncio to Svizzera in 1764, where he succeeded in winning the sympathies even of the Protestants.
In 1773 Clemente XIV transferred him to Spagna, and Pio VI, on 15 Apr. 1776, created him cardinal and reserved his appointment in pectore, publishing it on the following 20 May and assigning him the title of SS. Nereo ed Achilleo. He subsequently served as prefect of the Congregation of Ecclesiastical Immunity and of the Economy of Propaganda Fide, apostolic legate of Ravenna (where he restored and embellished Dante’s tomb), and librarian of the Holy Roman Church. In 1795 he opted for the see of Albano and, in 1807, having become sub-dean of the Sacred College, for those of Porto, S. Rufina, and Civitavecchia. He restored numerous churches and was loved
and venerated for the abundant alms he distributed to the poor. At the Conclave of Venezia (1800), he was among the cardinals who received votes for the pontificate.