Gaetano Bedini

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Gaetano Bedini (15 May 1806 – 6 September 1864) was an Italian churchman, cardinal, and long-serving diplomat of the Catholic Church. He held important posts in Brazil, the United States, and the Vatican.

Early life
Bedini was born in Senigallia, the youngest of seven sons in the Bedini family. He entered the local seminary and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on 20 December 1828 by Fabrizio Sceberras Testaferrata. He served as a canon of the Senigallia cathedral from 1829 to 1838. Through influential friends, including Giovanni Mastai Ferretti (the future Pope Pius IX), Bedini moved into politics and diplomacy, becoming secretary to Lodovico Altieri, Archbishop of Ephesus and nuncio in Austria (1838–1845). When Altieri became a cardinal, Bedini gained access to the Roman Vatican spheres and was called to Rome as Papal Chamberlain and Protonotary Apostolic.

Apostolic nuncziatura in Brazil
Bedini’s first major assignment abroad was as Internuncio in Brazil from 28 October 1845 to 16 August 1847. He worked to improve the lives of German immigrants and supported Catholic influence against Protestant proselytism. His efforts helped the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies improve conditions for German immigrants in Rio de Janeiro.

Contacts with Garibaldi
In 1847 Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was in South America at the time, wrote to Bedini offering support to Pope Pius IX, even offering a Roman legion. Bedini replied gratefully, but the offer was not accepted.

Roman Republic and legation in Bologna
Bedini returned to Rome in March 1848 and then served as Papal Nuncio and commissioner in the Legations to Bologna from 1849 to 1852 during the upheavals of the Roman Republic. He faced accusations of non-intervention from some patriots, but in Bologna he helped rebuild institutions and infrastructure, including restoring the Palazzo d’Accursio, improving roads, supporting agriculture, and restoring cultural sites such as the Villa San Michele in Foresta.

Apostolic nunciature in the United States
On 15 March 1852 Bedini was named titular Archbishop of Thebes and shortly after Apostolic Nuncio in Brazil. He was unable to enter Brazil due to a plague and instead went to the United States, arriving in New York City on 30 June 1853. He became the first Papal Nuncio to the United States and encountered strong anti-Catholic sentiment, including the Cincinnati Riot of 1853. During his travels, he met U.S. President Franklin Pierce and Secretary of State William L. Marcy. He ordained several bishops, including James Roosevelt Bayley (Newark), John Loughlin (Brooklyn), and Louis De Goesbriand (Burlington). He visited multiple cities such as Pittsburgh, Louisville, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, before returning to Rome in January 1854.

Position in the Curia and the North American College
Back in Italy, Bedini continued his work in the Roman Curia and, on 20 June 1856, was named General Secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. He helped establish the North American College in Rome, which opened on 8 December 1859 after the building on Humility Street was purchased on 22 September 1858.

Cardinal of Viterbo
In March 1861 Bedini was appointed Bishop of Viterbo and Tuscanella (today Tuscania). He entered Viterbo on 8 May 1861 and focused on visiting the diocese’s counties, strengthening the seminary, and improving church and civic structures, including the Cristofari palace. On 27 September 1861 he was created Cardinal, taking Santa Maria sopra Minerva as his church.

Death
Bedini died on 6 September 1864 in Viterbo, at about 58 years old. He was buried in Viterbo Cathedral. His life was later depicted in the 1990 film In the Name of the Sovereign People, where he was played by Luigi De Filippo.

See also
- Senigallia
- Giuseppe Garibaldi
- Bologna
- Santa Maria sopra Minerva
- Viterbo

This concise portrait covers Bedini’s rise from a local priest in Senigallia to a prominent cardinal and diplomat who helped shape Catholic outreach in the Americas and the Vatican’s missionary efforts.