Niccola Clarelli Parracciani

Niccola Clarelli Parracciani (12 April 1799 – 7 July 1872) was a Catholic Cardinal and was Arch-Priest of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

He was also Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and Secretary of the Roman Curia.

Clarelli was born on 12 April 1799 in Rieti. He was educated at the Archgymnasium of Rome where he received a doctorate in utroque iuris, both civil and canon law on 8 July 1822.

While completing his education, was ordained as a Priest on 1 June 1822 at age 23. He then attended the Pontifical Academy of Ecclesiastical Nobles to study diplomacy.

He spent time as the Privy chamberlain to Pope Pius VII in 1819.

Clarelli was ordained as a Bishop in January 1844, was elevated to Cardinal and was appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Pietro in Vincoli.

In February 1844 he was appointed Bishop of Montefiascone and was consecrated at the patriarchal Vatican Basilica by Pope Gregory XVI. He resigned from this position in 1854.

In 1860, Clarelli was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for the Erection of Churches and Consistorial Provisions, the equivalent of the modern role of Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

In 1863, he was appointed Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals and Secretary of the Roman Curia.

He was appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati in 1867 and in 1870 was appointed Arch-Priest of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Clarelli participated in the Papal Conclave of 1846 which elected Pope Pius IX and the First Vatican Council in 1869 and 1870.

Clarelli died on 7 July 1872 at Vico Equense and was temporarily buried there.