Roman Catholic Cardinal. Montegranaro born Domenico Svampa entered seminary in Fermo from where he went on to further his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Pio Seminary and the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum S. Apollinare, earning doctorates in theology and utroque iuris in both canon and civil laws. Ordained priest there in 1874, he was soon appointed member of the local Academy of San Tommaso d'Aquino before moving to the named seminary of Fermo, where he lectured theology and canon law. Back in Rome as professor of civil law at the Pontifical Roman Atheaneum S. Apollinare, he served as spiritual director to the seminarians of the Pontifical Urbanian Athenaeum of Propaganda Fide and to the nuns of the Sacred Heart at Trinità dei Monti. Elected bishop of Forlì on May 23, 1887, Svampa received his episcopal consecration in Rome at the named church of Trinità dei Monti on the following June 29. Pope Leo XIII created him cardinal priest in the consistory of May 18, 1894 with title of Sant'Onofrio and promoted him to the metropolitan see of Bologna three days later. Known for his initiatives in favour of the poor, the education and the reconciliation between the Italian State and the Holy See, the Cardinal founded several rural banks, the journal "L'Avvenire d'Italia", and aided his friend Saint John Bosco in his humanitarian activities. He would have been considered 'papabile' in the conclave of 1903 had a stroke which he suffered two years previously, not have left his face and speech partially impaired. With a malignant disease of the digestive tract complicating matters, the Cardinal succumbed at the early age of fifty six. Originally buried at the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna, on October 16, 1912 his remains were transferred to the Salesian church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of the same city, erected during the time of his episcopate. In appreciation of his activities, "The New York Times" dedicated twenty two articles in his memory.