Alberto di Jorio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alberto di Jorio |
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| Pro-President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 14 August 1961 |
| Reign ended | 4 November 1968 |
| Successor | Sergio Guerri |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Santa Pudenziana (1967–1979) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 18 April 1908 |
| Consecration | 19 April 1962 by Pope John XXIII |
| Created Cardinal | 15 December 1958 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Deacon (1958–1967) Cardinal-Bishop (1967–1979) |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Alberto di Jorio |
| Born | 18 July 1884 Rome, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 5 September 1979 (aged 95) Rome, Italy |
| Buried | Santa Pudenziana |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Roman Seminary |
| Motto | Innova |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Alberto di Jorio |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Alberto di Jorio (born July 18, 1884 – died September 5, 1979) was an important leader in the Catholic Church. He became a cardinal, which is a high-ranking official.
For many years, he helped manage the money and wealth of the Vatican. He worked closely with Bernardino Nogara, a non-religious expert. Together, they played a big part in growing the wealth of the Vatican and the Institute for Works of Religion, often called the "Vatican Bank."
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Early Life and Church Work
Alberto di Jorio was born in Rome, Italy, on July 18, 1884. From a young age, he was expected to have a career in the Roman Curia, which is like the Vatican's government. He studied at the Pontifical Roman Seminary, a very famous school for priests.
After becoming a priest in 1908, he started working for the church in Rome. He mostly focused on his work within the Vatican's administration. In 1918, he became the president of the Institute for Works of Religion, which is the official name for the Vatican Bank.
Growing the Vatican's Wealth
In the 1920s, Pope Pius XI wanted to solve a big problem called the "Roman Question." This problem meant the Pope had been like a "prisoner" in the Vatican since Italy became a united country in 1870.
Di Jorio worked closely with Bernardino Nogara to help solve this. After the Lateran Treaty in 1929, the Vatican became its own independent state. Nogara chose di Jorio to run the Vatican Bank. With special rules, they could invest in many different companies. This helped the Vatican become very wealthy. They bought shares in large companies like General Motors and IBM.
Becoming a Cardinal
Di Jorio continued to lead the Vatican Bank for many years. He also took on other important roles in the Vatican. In 1947, he became the Secretary of the College of Cardinals. This group helps elect new popes.
In 1958, he was the secretary for the meeting that elected Pope John XXIII. Right after being chosen, Pope John XXIII placed his red hat (called a zucchetto) on di Jorio's head. This was a traditional sign that he would make di Jorio a cardinal.
Six weeks later, on December 15, 1958, di Jorio officially became a Cardinal-Deacon. Later, Pope John XXIII decided that all cardinals should also be bishops. So, on April 19, 1962, di Jorio became an archbishop. Pope John XXIII himself performed the ceremony. In 1967, di Jorio chose to become a cardinal priest.
Later Years and Retirement
Cardinal di Jorio took part in the Second Vatican Council, a very important meeting for the Catholic Church. He also participated in the 1963 meeting that elected Pope Paul VI.
He continued to lead the Vatican Bank until 1968. On November 4, 1968, Pope Paul VI accepted di Jorio's request to retire from his role as pro-president of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.
In 1970, Pope Paul VI made a new rule: cardinals over 80 years old could not vote for a new pope. Cardinal di Jorio was one of the cardinals affected by this rule. When Cardinal José da Costa Nunes passed away in 1976, di Jorio became the oldest cardinal in the College of Cardinals.
Pope Paul VI even gave a special speech at a Mass celebrating di Jorio's 70th anniversary as a priest. Cardinal Alberto di Jorio passed away at his home in Rome on September 5, 1979, at the age of 95.
