CARLO PEDICINI. — Cardinal, born in Benevento on 2 Nov. 1769, died in Rome on 19 Nov. 1843. Having entered the prelature at a very young age, in 1814 he was part of the State commission, presided over by Rivarola, which prepared for the return of Pius VII to Rome. In 1816 he was appointed secretary of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide. Pius VII, in the Consistory of 10 March 1823, created him cardinal.
Leo XII, immediately after his election as pope (1823), wished him to succeed him as prefect of the Congregation of Ecclesiastical Immunity, and Pius VIII appointed him secretary of the Memorials and prefect of the Congregation of Rites (1830). Gregory XVI chose him to succeed him as prefect of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide (1831) and three years later appointed him Vice-Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church. Bishop of Palestrina on 5 July 1830, he carried out a most noble pastoral activity there, building the façade of the Cathedral, reviving the Seminary and religious institutes, and showing great generosity toward the poor and the suffering.
His name is forever linked to the life of the Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, of whom he was confidant and spiritual director. After the pious woman’s death, he hastened her glorification with his authoritative judgment.