14 Facts About Diomede Falconio

Diomede Falconio served as Prefect of the Congregation for Religious from 1916 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1911.

Diomede Falconio was Apostolic Delegate to the United States from 1902 to 1911.

Diomede Falconio was born in Pescocostanzo as one of the five children of Donato Antonio Falconio, a goldsmith, and his wife Maria Giacinta Buccigrossi.

Diomede Falconio received the Sacrament of Confirmation on 5 September 1852, and entered the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans, on 2 September 1860.

Diomede Falconio studied at the Franciscan convents of Magliano and Carpineto, making his first vows on 17 September 1861 and his perpetual vows on 12 October 1864.

Diomede Falconio taught philosophy at St Bonaventure's College and Seminary in Alleghany from 1865 to 1871, serving as its President from 1868 to 1869.

Diomede Falconio served as administrator, chancellor, and vicar general of Harbor Grace in Canada between 1871 and 1882, and would have become its bishop had not the opposition of the Irish Benevolent Society to the appointment of an Italian bishop caused Diomede Falconio's superior to recall him to the United States.

Diomede Falconio performed missionary work in New York and Connecticut until 1883, whence he returned to Italy.

On 11 July 1892, Diomede Falconio was appointed Bishop of Lacedonia by Pope Leo XIII.

Diomede Falconio was later named Archbishop of Acerenza-Matera on 29 November 1895, the first Apostolic Delegate to Canada on 3 August 1899, and Titular Archbishop of Larissa in Thessalia on 30 September of that year.

Diomede Falconio was appointed Apostolic Delegate to the United States on 30 September 1902.

Diomede Falconio was created Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Aracoeli by Pope Pius X in the consistory of 27 November 1911, and opted to be promoted to Cardinal Bishop of Velletri on 25 May 1914.

Diomede Falconio was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 1914 papal conclave, which selected Pope Benedict XV, who named Falconio Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Religious on 26 February 1916.

Diomede Falconio is buried in the Franciscan church of his native Pescocostanzo.