Roman Catholic Cardinal. Roman born Francesco di Paola Cassetta received his education at the Roman Seminary, obtaining a doctorate in theology in September 1863 and in utroque iure in both canon and civil laws in August 1866. Ordained priest in June 1865, in the years which followed, he was named prelate referendary of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature on June 23, 1878, auditor of the Cardinal Vicar of Rome on April 3, 1884, counselor of the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda Fide and of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office and canon of the chapter of the Patriarchal Liberian Basilica on November 23, 1884. Elected bishop of the titular see of Amathus in Palestina, he received his episcopal consecration on December 21, 1884, at the church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. Named secret almoner of His Holiness on September 20, 1887 and assistant at the Pontifical Throne on November 15, 1887, he was promoted to the titular archbishopric see of Nicomedia on November 25, 1887, and appointed canon of the chapter of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica on July 17, 1889. Vice gerent of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome between November 12, 1895 and June 19, 1899, he was transferred to the titular patriarchal see of Antioch on November 29, 1895. Pope Leo XIII created him cardinal priest in the consistory of June 19, 1899, with the title of San Crisogono. Granted the deaconry of Ss. Vito, Modesto e Crescenzia in commendam on April 28, 1901, which he retained until his death, he acted as camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals from June 9, 1902 until June 22, 1903. Opting for the order of bishops through the suburbicarian see of Sabina and as Perpetual Abbot of Farfa on March 27, 1905, Cassetta was furthermore appointed prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Studies on June 3, 1911. Transferred to the suburbicarian see of Frascati on November 27, 1911, he went on to serve as Librarian of the Holy Roman Church from January 3, 1914, until his death, and as prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Council from February 10, 1914 until March 23, 1919. Apostolic visitor of the Hospice of the Catechumens and commissioner for the Apostolic Visitation of the Italian dioceses in his later years, the Cardinal died in his native city.