LUIGI SINCERO. - Cardinal, born at Trino Vercellese on 26 March 1870, died in Rome on 7 February 1936.
He studied at Vercelli and Rome, graduating in philosophy, theology and canon law. He was ordained priest in 1892. After serving as Vice-Rector of the Lombard College in Rome, he became theological canon of Vercelli and professor in its Seminary. He graduated in law at the University of Turin with highest honours. He returned to Rome in 1908 as auditor of the Sacred Roman Rota and was a valued consultant in many congregations. In 1912 he was enrolled in the Roll of Advocates of Rome, with the right to plead cases before the Court of Cassation. In 1917 he was appointed secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Interpretation of the Code of Canon Law, and in 1920 assessor of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation, for which in 1922 he served as secretary of the Conclave. On 23 May 1923 he was created cardinal deacon of S. Giorgio in Velabro, which he restored to its original splendour. In 1926 he was named pro-secretary and in 1927 secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Church. In 1929 he received episcopal consecration at the hands of His Holiness Pius XI. In 1933 he opted for the suburbicarian See of Palestrina, where he carried out an effective episcopal ministry, restoring the Seminary and several churches of the diocese.
Of keen intellect, profound culture and untiring industry, he cherished the Christian East and promoted its growth. Pius XI found in him a valuable collaborator in the foundation in Rome of the Russian, Ruthenian, Romanian, Armenian and Ethiopian Colleges. The canonical codification of the Eastern Churches was brought by him to a successful conclusion, while he also reorganized the Malankara Church, which returned to unity.