b. at Piacenza on 12 July 1857 to Carlo and Luisa
Fantini, d. at Bergamo on 22 Aug. 1914.
Having graduated in Rome in theology and canon law
at the Gregorian University, he was called by Leo XIII
to the Secretariat of State in 1890, remaining there until ’96
as minutant of briefs and twice being sent as ablegate to
Vienna and Paris. Appointed canon of the Vatican Chapter,
he carried out manifold activity in Rome in the priestly
ministry and preaching, in Catholic Action, in pilgrimages
to Lourdes and Jerusalem (v. PILGRIMAGE, III. Modern works
of the p), national and foreign manifestations for the
jubilee of 1900 and that of the Immaculate Conception in
1904. Among the publications from these activities are the
following pamphlets: Il problema scolastico odierno (Rome
1913); Jerusalem (ibid. 1904); Lourdes: reminiscenze (Rocca
S. Casciano 1891); Chiesa e Stato in ordine ai concordati
(Milan 1887).
In January 1905 he was appointed bishop of Bergamo,
where he required all parish priests to welcome the action
of the laity according to the new papal norms. In economic
policy he fully supported the studies of Tonolo and the work
of Medolago, and in politics he followed conciliatory
tendencies, advocating harmony of minds. He carried out
excellent ecclesiastical reforms, beginning with the govern-
ance of the Seminary. He also introduced wise innovations
in the culture and norms of the clergy in parochial care,
promoted the growth of the liturgy, the reform of sacred
music, and missionary propaganda. In 1910 he convened the
diocesan synod, which had not been held at Bergamo since
1724 and from which emerged highly praised constitutions.