Lorenzo Casoni was born in Sarzana[2] on September 10, 1645, the son of Niccolò, count of Villanova, and Giulia Petriccioli. The family was of noble and religious origins:[3] his cousin was Monsignor Agostino Favoriti, secretary of Pope Innocent XI, to which post he later succeeded. His great-grandnephews were later Cardinal Filippo Casoni, in 1801, and Cardinal Luigi Vannicelli Casoni, in 1839.
Pope Innocent XI made him "secret chamberlain of honor" and canon of Santa Maria Maggiore.
On March 3, 1690, he was elected titular archbishop of Caesarea, with dispensation for not receiving the diaconate and presbyterate.
On 12 Mar 1690, he was consecrated bishop by Francesco Nerli (iuniore), Cardinal-Priest of San Matteo in Merulana.[4]
Pope Clement XI elevated him to the rank of cardinal in the consistory of May 17, 1706. In honor of the two popes who had helped him, he had two monuments erected in the Chapel of the Crucifix in Sarzana, his hometown.
He died on November 19, 1720, at the age of 75.
