Leonardi was born in the
Venetian city of
Traú (today's Trogir, in
Croatia), in
Dalmatia. He finished his theological and philosophical studies in
Rome, graduating with a
doctorate. Leonardi began as an episcopal
vicar, however, due to his education and abilities, he became a delegate of the Congregation of Religious Propaganda under the
Roman Curia. He received orders in 1636 to spread Catholicism throughout
Dalmatia and the
Bay of Cattaro. He was especially devoted to the conversion of the local
Paštrović clan to Catholicism. In his report to the Congregation, he stated that the crossover of
Montenegro to Catholicism is especially important in the spread of Catholicism in
Serbia and the
Balkans in general. In 1638, Leonardi met with
Mardarius, the
Orthodox Metropolitan of
Cetinje, to discuss his potential conversion to Catholicism. The duo met once more in 1639 in Cetinje, discussing Mardarius' conversion to Catholicism and him visiting
Rome. Mardarius expressed his readiness in accepting the offer, also demanding that the Roman Curia allot the same wages as the bishops under the
Ottoman Empire. However, because of his closeness with the Curia, the Ottoman Turks imprisoned Mardarius. Upon his release from prison in early 1640, he met with Leonardi in Maine and converted to Catholicism, acknowledging submission to the Pope. Leonardi also met with
Pajsije, the
Patriarch of Peć, discussing his possible conversion to Catholicism. In 1644,
Pope Innocent X appointed Leonardi as the Archbishop of Antivari. However, during his tenure, Leonardi never visited his archbishopric nor its seat in Antivari. ==References==