Marafoschi, Prospero

Marafoschi, Prospero an Italian prelate, was born Sept. 29,1653, at Macerata; entered the priesthood while yet a youth; became canon of St. Peter's at Rome, and later bishop in partibus of Cyrene. He enjoyed the favor and confidence of several of the incumbents of the papal chair. Clement XI, in 1721, gave him the archiepiscopal see of Cesarea and Cappadocia; Benedict XIII created him cardinal in 1724, and in 1726 made him vicar-general of Rome. He died Feb. 24, 1732. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 23:347.