SAVELLI, DOMENICO. - Cardinal, b. at Speloncato (Ajaccio) on 15 Sept. 1792, d. at Rome on 30 Aug. 1864.
He studied at the Seminary of Ajaccio, showing even then courage and energy by promoting and directing the resistance of his small town against a band of insurgents (1815). He moved to Rome and at the Sapienza obtained a degree in canon and civil law. He then carried out administrative practice at the Congregation of the Council and governed the delegations of Rieti, Frosinone, Perugia and Macerata. Cleric of the Chamber in 1845, during the vacancy of the See he was appointed by the cardinals extraordinary commissioner in the Romagne. He received positions of trust from Pius IX. In 1847 he was governor of Rome, and in the Ferretti ministry (Dec. 1847-Feb. 1848) minister of Police, proving himself very rigid with the liberals. Also in 1848 he became vice camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. In Apr. 1849, the same Pontiff, from Gaeta, entrusted him with restoring the pontifical Government in the Marche and in the following June constituted him extraordinary commissioner, until the cardinals Altieri, Vannicelli Casoni and Della Genga, of the so-called "red triumvirate," again called him to the Ministry of the Interior and of police.
On 7 March 1853 he was created cardinal deacon and on 4 July was placed at the head of the Consulta di Stato for Finances, and there he showed such prudence as to bring the unsettled government budget to balance. In 1859 he left the post because of financial disagreements with the Pontiff and card. Antonelli.
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Marlo de Camillis