Marcantonio Marcolini

Marcantonio Marcolini was born in Fano on 22 November 1721, the son of Count Pietro Paolo Marcolini and Ana Maria Francesca Ferretti, of the counts of Castel Ferretto.[1]

He graduated from the Collegio di San Carlo in Modena on 22 October 1732; from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1740; and then received a doctorate of both laws from the Sapienza University of Rome on 3 July 1742.[1]

After graduating, he became a privy chamberlain supernumerary of Pope Benedict XIV.[1] In 1743, he was sent to Paris as papal legate to take the red hat to Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi, Apostolic Nuncio to France.[1] In 1744, he became a canon of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.[1] On 28 August 1747, he became Referendary of the Apostolic Signatura.[1] He was made Relator of the Sacred Congregation of Good Government in July 1748.[1] In 1751, he traveled through Germany and Saxony.[1] He became a judge of the Reverend Fabric of Saint Peter's basilica in November 1752, becoming its secretary in December 1756.[1] He became a canon of St. Peter's Basilica in April 1754.[1] In December 1755, he became Voter of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.[1]

He was ordained as a priest on 27 February 1768.[1]

He was elected titular archbishop of Thessalonica on 12 June 1769, and was consecrated as a bishop by Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart on 25 June 1769.[1] Shortly thereafter, Pope Clement XIV made him an Assistant at the Pontifical Throne.[1] On 23 August 1769, he became Apostolic Nuncio to Florence. He later returned to Rome, becoming secretary of the Sacred Consulta on 16 February 1771.[1] On 18 May 1773, he became auditor of the Apostolic Camera.[1] He was made president of Urbino on 2 May 1775.[1]

In the consistory of 23 June 1777, Pope Pius VI made him a cardinal.[1] He received the red hat on 26 June 1777, and on 28 July 1777 received the titular church of Sant'Onofrio.[1] He remained pro-president of Urbino until June 1778.[1]

While visiting Fano, he suffered from apoplexy on 1 May 1782.[1] He died in Fano on 18 June 1782.[1]