Altieri, Luigi

Altieri, LUIGI

a Roman Catholic prelate, was born in Rome, July 17, 1805, of a noble family. He began his career under the immediate eye of Gregory XVI, and lodged in the Vatican as private chamberlain to the pope. His next step was to the secretaryship of the Congregation of Studies, whence he was promoted to the nunciature at Vienna; and consecrated by Gregory himself archbishop of Ephesus, July 17, 1836. He was created cardinal December 14, 1840, and published April 23, 1845. During the twenty years of his cardinal's life he occupied some of the most laborious and important posts, as chamberlain of the holy Roman Church, archpriest of the patriarchal basilica of St. John Lateran, lord chancellor of the Roman University, and bishop of the suburbicarian see of Albano about fourteen miles from Rome. While (1867) receiving the oaths and distributing the diplomas to the students of the university, a hasty messenger arrived announcing the scourge of cholera desolating his diocese. Without a moment's hesitation he broke up the meeting, summoned a notary, made his will, and rode hastily to the stricken'town of Albano. He at once assumed control of the municipal as well as religious government of his see, seconded by the Papal Zouaves, and the cholera was at length brought under control. But Altieri was seized himself with the disease, and died August 11, 1867. See (N.Y.) Catholic Almanac, 1876, page 103.