R U F F O S C I L L A - I. L U I G I , the elder
Cardinal, b. at S. Onofrio (diocese of Mileto) on 25 Aug. 1750, d. at Naples on 16 Nov. 1832. Elected by Pius VI on 11 Apr. 1785 titular archbishop of Apamea and apostolic nuncio to Florence, he displayed prudence and skill in the conduct of grave affairs, particularly those relating to the activity of the bishop of Pistoia at Prato, Scipione de’ Ricci, and the synod which he promoted.
Transferred in 1795 to Vienna, he confirmed his talents by directing that nunciature at a most delicate moment, especially on account of the repercussions in Austria of the events in France which culminated in the deportation and death of Pius VI. He played a notable part in smoothing out the various difficulties so that the Conclave might be held at Venice, and Pius VII created him cardinal on 23 Feb. 1801 with the title of SS. Sylvester and Martin in the Mountains. On 9 Aug. 1802 he sent him as archbishop to Naples. The R. S. immediately began the visitation, provided for the restoration of the Cathedral, which he endowed with precious sacred furnishings, and erected, among other things, the tomb
II. LUIGI, the younger
Cardinal, b. at Palermo on 16 Apr. 1840, d. at Rome on 29 May 1895. After completing his studies in Naples, he entered the ecclesiastical career.
After having successively been supernumerary secret chamberlain and domestic prelate, he was elected by Pius IX on 28 Dec. 1877 archbishop of Chieti and perpetual administrator of Vasto. He rendered great service to the diocese: he modernized the episcopal residence, restored in the Cathedral the crypt of S. Giustino and the great chapel of the Sacrament. Leo XIII, in 1878, sent him as his representative to London for the jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria. Transferred on 23 May 1887 to the titular archiepiscopal see of Petra, he was appointed apostolic nuncio to Bavaria and had to face not a few difficulties both on account of the tragic death of King Louis II (1886) and the unfavourable outcome of the political elections. Majordomo in 1889, he was then created cardinal of S. Maria in Trasportina on 14 Dec. 1891.