Francesco Cardinal Ragonesi S.T.D. J.U.D. (21 December 1850 – 14 September 1931) was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and was the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.


Francesco Ragonesi
Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura
The cardinal pictured in 1922.
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
Appointed9 March 1926
Term ended14 September 1931
PredecessorAugusto Silj
SuccessorBonaventura Cerretti
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of San Marcello (1921–31)
Orders
Ordination1874
Consecration25 September 1904
by Rafael Merry del Val y Zulueta
Created cardinal7 March 1921
by Pope Benedict XV
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born
Francesco Ragonesi

21 December 1850
Died14 September 1931(1931-09-14) (aged 80)
Poggio a Caiano, Pistoia, Kingdom of Italy
Previous post(s)
Alma materPontifical Roman Athenaeum Saint Apollinare
Coat of armsFrancesco Ragonesi's coat of arms
Styles of
Francesco Ragonesi
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeMyra (titular see)

Biography edit

Francesco Ragonesi was born in Bagnaia, Viterbo, Italy. He was educated at the seminary of Viterbo, and from 1869 at the Pio-Roman Seminary, and at the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum S. Apollinare, where he earned doctorates in philosophy, theology and a doctorate utroque iuris (in both canon and civil law).[1]

He was ordained in 1874 and worked in the diocese of Viterbo, where he did pastoral work and for twenty-five years served as a professor of history and Scripture in its seminary. He became archcanon of the cathedral chapter as well as being elected vicar capitular of the diocese. Between 1885 and 1904 he served as vicar general. He was created Domestic prelate of His Holiness on 12 June 1889. He was appointed Apostolic delegate and extraordinary envoy to Colombia on 7 September 1904. During his tenure, he favored the opening of the Panama Canal in that country.[1]

He was appointed as titular archbishop of Myra on 16 September 1904 by Pope Pius X and was consecrated on 25 September by Rafael Merry del Val, Cardinal Secretary of State. He served as Nuncio in Spain with faculties of legate a latere from 1913 until 1921.[1]

He was created Cardinal-Priest of San Marcello in the consistory of 7 March 1921 by Pope Benedict XV.[2] Since he was Nuncio to Spain, he received his cardinal's hat from the King of Spain and then his other regalia at the next consistory in June.[3]

He participated in the conclave of 1922 that elected Pope Pius XI. He was appointed as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura by Pope Pius on 9 March 1926.

He died in 1931, in the mother-house of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Poggio a Caiano, Pistoia, where he had gone to recover his health. He is buried at the Campo Verano cemetery in Rome.

Honours edit

Foreign Honours edit

  Spain:

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Miranda, Salvatore. "Ragonese, Francesco", Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Florida International University[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Consistory in Rome Today on Cardinals" (PDF). The New York Times. Associated Press. 7 March 1921. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Pope Criticizes Jews for Acts in Palestine; Urges Appeal to League to Define Mandate" (PDF). The New York Times. Associated Press. 14 June 1921. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Guía oficial de España". www.bne.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 August 2020.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
9 March 1926 – 14 September 1931
Succeeded by