(1) 1. MAREFOSCHI COMPAGNONI, Mario (1714-1780)

Birth. September 10, 1714, Macerata. Nephew of Cardinal Prospero Marefoschi (1724).

Education. (No information found).

Early life. In December 1740, he assumed the Marefoschi prelature and placed that last name before his own. Relator of S.C. of the Apostolic Visit, December 1740; and of the S.C. of Good Government, January 1742. Voter of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Grace. Prelate of the S.C. of the Council. Auditor of Cardinal Henry Benedict Mary Clement Stuart of York, July 1747. Secretary of the S.C. of Rites, August 1751 to 1759. Canon of the patriarchal Vatican basilica, July 1753. Consultor of the S.C. of the Index, September 1753. Secretary ad interim of the S.C. of the Examination of Bishops, February 1756 (became secretary in December 1763); and, simultaneously, secretary of the S.C. of Propaganda Fide, September 1759; and of the S.C. of the Correction of Oriental Books, December 1759. Dean of the Tribunal of the Signature of Grace, 1762.

Priesthood. Ordained (no further information found).

Cardinalate. Created cardinal and reserved in pectore in the consistory of January 29, 1770; published in the consistory of September 10, 1770; received the red hat and the title of S. Agostino, December 12, 1770. Prefect of the S.C. of Rites, 1771 until his death. Archpriest of the patriarchal Lateran basilica, 1771. President of the commission to execute the suppression of the Society of Jesus, 1773 . He was known for his philo-Jjansenist leanings and his friendship with Pietro Tamburini, a noted Jansenist author and celebrated professor of the University of Paris, and for having recommended the removal of the Jesuits from staffing the Pontifical Irish College, Rome. Participated in the conclave of 1774-1775, which elected Pope Pius VI. Legate a latere for the closing of the holy door of the patriarchal Lateran basilica for the Jubilee of the Holy Year 1775, November 13, 1775. Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals, March 30, 1778 until March 1, 1779.

Death. December 23, 1780, Rome. Exposed in the church of S. Marcello, Rome, where the funeral took place, and buried in his title.

Bibliography. Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recientoris Aevi. Volumen VI (1730-1799). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 27, 42 and 56.

Link. His engraving and arms.

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