He was preconized Titular Bishop of Caryste by Pope Leo XIII on 12 August 1881, was created Cardinal-Priest of Santi Bonifacio e Alessio on 11 February 1889, and became Prefect of the Congregation for Indulgences and Sacred Relics.
He was initially designated as Titular Bishop of Caryste by Pope Leo XIII in August 1881, then promoted to Cardinal-Priest of Santi Bonifacio e Alessio in February 1889, and subsequently became the head of the Congregation for Indulgences and Sacred Relics.