Domenico Serafini

Domenico Serafini, O.S.B. Subl. (3 August 1852 – 5 March 1918) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served in various pastoral, diplomatic, and curial posts, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1914.

Biography Domenico Serafini was born in Rome, of ancient nobility, to Luigi Serafini and Costanza Di Pietro. He made his profession on 16 June 1874 and studied at different Benedictine houses of studies and the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he obtained his doctorates in philosophy and theology. Some three months later, following Pius X's death, Serafini participated in the papal conclave to elect his successor. Serafini, supported by Gaetano Cardinal de Lai , was the leading candidate for the conservative cardinals, who believed he would continue the teachings and policies of Pius X.

Serafini was made Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Religious on 27 January 1916. During his tenure, the Propaganda Fide became increasingly oriented towards the changing circumstances of missions in anti-imperialist political contexts.

Cardinal Serafini died in Rome at age 65. He was buried in the Campo Verano before his remains were transferred to the monastery of Saint Benedict in Subiaco on 1 December 1919.