Francesco Morano

Francesco Morano (8 June 1872, Caivano, Province of Naples – 12 July 1968) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Secretary of the Apostolic Signatura in the Roman Curia from 1935 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1959.

Born in Caivano, Province of Naples, Francesco Morano attended the seminary in Aversa, and the Pontifical Lateran University (from where he obtained his doctorates in philosophy, theology, and canon and civil law), the Royal University (earning a doctorate and a teaching diploma in physics), and the Studio of the Sacred Congregation of the Council (graduating with a diploma of lawyer of the Roman Curia) in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on 10 August 1897, and then finished his studies in 1900. Before serving as an officer of the Holy Office from 1903 to 1925, Morano was made an assistant at the Vatican Observatory in 1900. He was raised to the rank of Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness on 20 July 1918.