Italian cardinal; secretary of the Sac. Congr. of Good Government; attached to the Sac. Congr. of Ecclesiastical Immunity; one of the founding members of the Academy of Catholic Faith (1801). Personal secretary to Pope Gregory XVI.
 
ALS – Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 1838. A charming note to his nephew in which he thanks him for a gift and conveys greetings to his family. Very good.  Sold mainly as an autographic specimen of this important 19th century cardinal.
 
Falzacappa was banished from Rome by Napoleon for his refusal to take the oath of loyalty during the French Occupation (1808-14). In 1814 he was appointed by Cardinal Agostino Rivarola to serve on a commission for hospitals in Rome. In 1815, Falzacappa was a member of the Giunta di Stato that was presided by Cardinal Maria della Somaglia — this following the flight of Pope Pius VII to Genoa. Created a cardinal in 1823 and participated in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XII. Unfortunately, he did not enjoy positive relations with secretary of state Ercole Consalvi and, the following year, resigned pastoral government. He went on to serve as examiner of bishops in canon law and as Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Justice. In 1804, Falzacappa became one of the founding members of the Academy of the Catholic Religion. Due to the French occupation of Rome, Falzacappa was deported first to Parma, then Alessandria and, finally, to the island of Capraia for his refusal to take the oath of loyalty during the French Occupation (1808-14). After the restoration of the papal government, he was named by Agostino Rivarola a member of the commission for hospitals in Rome. In 1815, during the flight of Pope Pius VII to Genoa, Falzacappa was a member of the Giunta di Stato that was presided over by Cardinal Giulio Maria della Somaglia, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of the Ecclesiastical Immunity. Two years later, he was promoted to the cardinalate.
 
Falzacappa was made a cardinal priest in the consistory of 1823 with the personal title of archbishop. He participated in the conclave that elected Leo XII (he was hostile to the election of Cardinal Ercole Consalvi). In 1824, Falzacappa resigned pastoral government.  He went on to serve as examiner of bishops in canon law, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature of Justice until his death.  He also was named by Pope Gregory XVI to serve as prefect of the Office of the Census, sub-deacon of the Sacred College of Cardinals and Camerlengo of the same college.