Federico Caccia

Federico Caccia: Archbishop of Milan

Federico Caccia (1635–1699) was an Italian diplomat who served as the Archbishop of Milan from 1693 until his death in 1699. Born into a noble family in Milan, Caccia received his education from the Jesuits at the College of Brera and later attended the Collegio Borromeo. He earned a doctorate in law from the University of Pavia and initially pursued a career as a lawyer in Milan before moving to Rome.

In Rome, Caccia gained assignments within the Roman Curia and served as rector of the Archgimnasium of Rome. His diplomatic skills were recognized when he was appointed titular archbishop of Laodicea in Phrygia in January 1693 and subsequently served as Nuncio to the Kingdom of Spain. In this role, he successfully cultivated a strong relationship with King Charles II.

Caccia was appointed Archbishop of Milan on April 13, 1693, though his diplomatic duties delayed his arrival in the archdiocese until December 1696. During his tenure, he convened the vicars of the diocese and conducted a pastoral visit to the valley of Ticino. His close ties with the Spanish government led to his appointment by Charles II as the temporary governor of the Duchy of Milan in 1697. He was also elevated to the rank of Cardinal Priest of Santa Pudenziana on December 12, 1695.

Federico Caccia is particularly remembered for his profound compassion for the poor, to whom he bequeathed all his personal properties in his will. He died in Milan on January 14, 1699, and his remains were interred in the North transept of the Cathedral of Milan. During his episcopate, he served as the principal consecrator for Francisco Manuel de Zúñiga Sotomayor y Mendoza, Bishop of Ciudad Rodrigo.