Domenico Cardinal Ferrata

Domenico Cardinal Ferrata (Gradoli, March 4, 1847 – October 10, 1914) was an Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal who spent the bulk of his career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See and in the Roman Curia.

Ordained a priest in 1869 and consecrated a bishop in 1885, he served as nuncio to Belgium and then to France before being elevated to Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in the consistory of June 22, 1896.

He spent the early part of his cardinalate in now-abolished positions such as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Indulgences and Relics. He was named Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship. In January 1914 Pope Pius X named him to succeed Mariano Cardinal Rampolla as Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, and later that year Pope Benedict XV, on election, named him to replace Rampolla's rival Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val as Cardinal Secretary of State. However, Ferrata died the month after his appointment as Secretary of State.