He was the Cardinal Secretary of State from 1848 until his death; he played a key role in Italian politics, resisting the unification of Italy and affecting Roman Catholic interests in European affairs.
Ia menjadi Sekretaris Kardinal Negara dari 1848 sampai ia wafat; ia memainkan peran penting dalam politik Italia, menentang penyatuan Italia dan memegang kepentingan Katolik Roma dalam urusan Eropa.