Egidio Vagnozzi was born in Rome to Francesco and Pasqua (née Jachetti) Vagnozzi, and studied at the Minor Seminary, Pontifical Roman Seminary, and Pontifical Lateran University (from where he obtained doctorates in philosophy, theology, and canon law).
On 9 March 1949, Vagnozzi was appointed Nuncio to the Philippines and Titular Archbishop of Myra.