Gaetano Bisleti

infobox cardinalstyles
cardinal name=Gaetano Cardinal Bisleti
dipstyle=His Eminence
offstyle=Your Eminence
See=none|

Gaetano Bisleti S.T.D. (20 March 1856 - 30 August 1937) was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and was former Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education.

Gaetano Bisleti was born in Veroli, Italy. He was educated at the Seminary of Tivoli and the Pontifical Academy of Ecclesiastical Nobles, where he obtained a doctorate in theology in 1879.

Bisleti was ordained on 20 September 1878. He was appointed Canon and archdeacon of the cathedral chapter of Veroli where he served until 1884. He was created Privy chamberlain de numero participantium on 20 December 1884. He was raised to the level of Domestic prelate and master of papal chamber on 29 May 1901. He was awarded the numerous orders and decorations:
*Commander of the Order of the Crown of Prussia
*Commander of the Order of Ferdinand IV of Tuscany
*Commander of the Order of the Crown of Siam
*Grand Cross of the Royal Sachson Albrecht Order 09.03.1906
*medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifici.

Cardinalate

He was created and proclaimed Cardinal-Deacon of "S. Agata in Suburra" by Pope Pius X in the consistory of November 27 1911. He served as Grand prior of the Sovereign Order of Malta from 2 January 1914. He participated in the conclave of 1914 that elected Pope Benedict XV. Pope Benedict appointed him as the first Prefect of the Congregation for Seminaries and Universities on 1 December 1915. He was a Cardinal Elector in the conclave of 1922 that elected Pope Pius XI. As cardinal protodeacon he crowned Pius XI with the Papal Tiara on February 12 1922. He was Cardinal Protodeacon, that is the longest serving Cardinal Deacon from 1916 until 1928. He then opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated pro hace vice to title on 17 December 1928.

He died in 1937 in Grottaferrata.