MICARA, LUDOVICO. - Cardinal, b. at Frascati on 12 Oct. 1775, d. at Rome on 24 May 1847. Having entered the Friars Minor Capuchin at a very young age, he attained the office of minister general. A highly esteemed orator, he travelled through the principal cities of Italy, distinguishing himself by his fervent eloquence and profound learning. Pio VII, in 1820, appointed him apostolic preacher, and Leone XII, on 20 Dec. 1824, created him cardinal, reserving the appointment in pectore and publishing it on 13 March 1826, with the title of SS. Quattro Coronati. For some time he still retained the general office of his Order.
In 1837 he opted for the suburbicarian see of Frascati, where he founded the civic hospital and the Accademia Tuscolana and gave outstanding examples of charity and pastoral zeal.
Gregorio XVI appointed him prefect of the Congregation of Rites, and, having become subdean of the Sacred College in 1843, he did not accept the option for the suburbicarian see of Porto, S. Rufina e Civitavecchia, preferring to remain bishop of his native city. Dean of the Sacred College and bishop of Ostia e Velletri from 1844, two years later he played a very notable part in the Conclave in which Pio IX was elected. Of most austere life, even as a cardinal he continued to live with the Capuchin Friars in the Roman convent of piazza Barberini.