MASTAI FERRETTI, LUIGI. – Born in Senigallia on 23 July 1814, died in S. Benedetto del Tronto on 8 January 1877.
The firstborn of Gabriele M.F., elder brother of Pio IX, and consequently, after his father’s death, head of the family, he was particularly dear to his pontifical uncle, who occasionally allowed him to stay with him in Rome.
In 1847 he was called to serve on the Consulta di Stato and subsequently on the Alto Consiglio. In 1848, together with his brother Ercole, he followed the papal army as far as the
Po, although he did not take part in the fighting in the Veneto. After the Pope had withdrawn to Gaeta, he joined him there in the company of his father. Once the restoration had taken place, he was entrusted with various posts in Rome and, upon the death of Count Gabriele, succeeded him as the last papal gonfaloniere of Senigallia.