Agostino Cacciavillan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Agostino Cacciavillan |
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| President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See Cardinal-Priest of Santi Angeli Custodi a Città Giardino |
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| Appointed | 5 November 1998 |
| Reign ended | 1 October 2002 |
| Predecessor | Lorenzo Antonetti |
| Successor | Attilio Nicora |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 26 June 1949 |
| Consecration | 28 February 1976 by Jean-Marie Villot |
| Created Cardinal | 21 February 2001 |
| Rank | Cardinal priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 August 1926 Valdagno, Italy |
| Died | 5 March 2022 (aged 95) Vatican City |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy |
| Motto | In Virtute Dei |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Agostino Cacciavillan |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Agostino Cacciavillan (born August 14, 1926 – died March 5, 2022) was an important Italian leader in the Catholic Church. He became a cardinal in 2001. For many years, from 1959 to 1998, he worked as a diplomat for the Holy See (the government of the Catholic Church). During this time, he served as a special representative, called a Pro-Nuncio, in countries like Kenya, India, Nepal, and the United States. Later, from 1998 to 2002, he worked in the Roman Curia, which is like the central administration of the Catholic Church, as the President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.
Early Life and Studies
Agostino Cacciavillan was born on August 14, 1926, in a town called Novale di Valdagno, Italy. He grew up with eight brothers and sisters. He studied to become a priest at a special school called a seminary in Vicenza. He was ordained as a priest on June 26, 1949.
After serving as a curate (a priest who helps a parish priest) for three years, he continued his education. He earned a special degree called a licentiate in social sciences from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He also earned a doctorate in law from Sapienza University. To prepare for a career as a diplomat, he studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1957.
A Career in Diplomacy
In 1959, Agostino Cacciavillan began working in the diplomatic service of the Holy See. This meant he represented the Pope and the Vatican in different countries around the world. He worked as a secretary in the Vatican's offices in the Philippines (1960–1964), Spain (1964–1968), and Portugal (1968).
From 1969 to 1974, he worked in the Vatican Secretariat of State. This is a very important department that helps the Pope manage the Church's affairs. He was also in charge of the Office of Information and Documentation there. In 1973, he was given the title of Honorary Prelate.
On January 17, 1976, Pope Paul VI appointed him as a Pro-Nuncio to Kenya and a special representative to the Seychelles. He was also named a Titular Archbishop of Amiternum. This means he was given the title of an archbishop, even though he wasn't in charge of a specific local church. He became a bishop on February 21, 1976. His special motto as a bishop was "In Virtute Dei" (meaning "In the Strength of God").
While he was the Nuncio to Kenya, he also served as a special observer for the Holy See at the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. He then became the Pro-Nuncio to India in 1981. In 1985, he became the first Pro-Nuncio to Nepal. On June 13, 1990, he was appointed Pro-Nuncio to the United States. He also represented the Holy See at the World Association of Jurists.
Working in the Vatican
On November 5, 1998, Pope John Paul II appointed Agostino Cacciavillan to lead the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APAS). This office manages the Vatican's properties and finances. He served in this role for five years.
On February 21, 2001, he was made a Cardinal-Deacon by Pope John Paul II. He retired from his role as President of the APAS on October 1, 2002.
Cardinal Cacciavillan was one of the cardinals who voted in the 2005 papal conclave. This was the special meeting where cardinals choose a new Pope, and in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected.
From March 1, 2008, to February 21, 2011, Cardinal Cacciavillan held the special title of Cardinal Protodeacon. This is the cardinal who announces the election of a new Pope to the world with the famous words "Habemus Papam" (meaning "We have a Pope").
Cardinal Cacciavillan passed away at his home in Vatican City on March 5, 2022, at the age of 95.
See Also
In Spanish: Agostino Cacciavillan para niños
