He was ordained on 20 September 1873 in Ancona. He did pastoral work in the diocese of Rome from 1876 until 1877. He served as the secretary of the nunciature in Spain from 1877 until 1880 and was Secretary of the apostolic delegation in Constantinople until 1883. He served as Auditor of the nunciature in France from 1883 until 1887 and of the nunciature in Spain until 1893 and in of the nunciature in Portugal from 1893 until 1897. He was created Privy chamberlain of His Holiness on 25 May 1886.