 He was educated at the seminary of Perugia, ordained in 1862, and after receiving the doctorate at the Roman Sapienza university, was appointed in 1864 professor in the seminary of Perugia.In 1870 he became pastor at Marsciano and in 1872 went to Montecassino, where he remained two years.Called to Rome by Leo XIII in 1880, Satolli was appointed professor of dogmatic theology in the Propaganda Fide.