SALOTTI, CARLO. – Cardinal, born at Grotte di Castro (diocese of Montefiascone) on 25 July 1870,
Kapljuč, Manastirine, Marusinac, Crikvine and Majdan). The largest and best known is that of Manastirine, at the centre of a vast necropolis (Coemeterium Legis Sanctae Christianae) containing vaulted tombs, memorials with sarcophagi, etc. The martyr bishop Domnio was buried in this basilica, and after the devastation of the Salona territory caused by the Goths, it, although reduced because it had been damaged, was
died in Rome on 24 October 1947. Having completed his studies at the Seminary of Orvieto from 1891 to 1894, during his military service in Rome he devoted himself to the study of philosophy and theology.
He was ordained a priest in 1894 and obtained degrees in theology, philosophy, canon and civil law at the Roman Seminary, and in literature at the Sapienza. He devoted himself to preaching and to the development of Catholic Action, and to disseminating the thought of Leone XII on the social question. He was also professor of philosophy at the S. Apollinare Lyceum (1902–12) and initiated new forms of apostolate in the field of apologetics, giving philosophical lectures at the headquarters of the Artistica Operaia and in the parish of S. Crisogono in Trastevere. At the same time, he was intensely active at the Congregation of Rites as an advocate in the causes of the Saints. Appointed by Benedict XV (1915) assistant promoter of the faith, he collaborated in drafting the canons of the CIC relating to the causes of beatification and canonization of the servants of God. Pius XI appointed him general promoter of the faith in 1925; then, in 1930, he was elected titular archbishop of Philippopolis in Thrace and secretary of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide. In this office he worked for the formation and advancement of the indigenous clergy and hierarchy, as well as for Catholic Action in the Missions. As rector of the Athenaeum of the Pontifical Urban College, he founded the Scientific Missionary Institute and the experimental psychology laboratory, established new chairs, and expanded the Library. He then began, through Vatican Radio, the messages to the world for Mission Sunday, also giving explanatory lectures in various cities of Italy and urging the faithful to contribute generously, spiritually and materially, to the propagation of the faith throughout the world. In the Consistory of 13 March 1933, Pius XI created him cardinal in pectore and published his appointment on 16 December 1935, assigning him the title of S. Bartolomeo all’Isola, which he relinquished on 16 December 1939 when he opted for the see of Palestrina. In 1938 he was called to succeed Cardinal Camillo Laurenti as prefect of the Congregation of Rites. His appointment as cardinal did not interrupt his apostolic activity, either in the ministry of the word or of the pen. In this connection, one recalls the opposition he consistently demonstrated toward fascism and his intrepid firmness during the Nazi occupation. Alongside his numerous hagiographical publications, the following should be mentioned: L'opera diplomatica e sacerdotale del card. Domenico Ferrata (Turin 1914); La crisi della società contemporanea. Studi apologetici (Rome 1922); Un campione dell'Azione Cattolica - Filippo Tolli (ibid. 1924); Il card. Giovanni Bonzano (ibid. 1927); Profilo di santi, apostoli, eroi (Pisa 1944); Sulle trincee per la verità e per la fede (Rome 1944); La romanità dei santi (ibid. 1946), in addition to many valuable letters to the diocesan faithful of Palestrina. Recently, his Memorie were published, with a preface by Fr. Luigi Sturzo (Rome 1951); they are of great interest for knowledge of persons and events.