Angelo Acerbi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Angelo Acerbi |
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| Apostolic Nuncio | |
Acerbi in 2010
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| Appointed | 22 June 1974 |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Deacon of Santi Angeli Custodi a Città Giardino (2024–) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 27 March 1948 |
| Consecration | 30 June 1974 by Pope Paul VI, Giovanni Benelli and Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy |
| Created Cardinal | 7 December 2024 |
| Rank | Cardinal deacon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 September 1925 Sesta Godano, Kingdom of Italy |
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| Motto | Fide Et Lenitate |
| Coat of arms | [[File:.svg) |50px|Angelo Acerbi's coat of arms|alt={{{coat_of_arms_alt}}}]] |
| Styles of Angelo Acerbi |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Angelo Acerbi was born in Italy on September 23, 1925. He is an important leader in the Catholic Church. He became an archbishop in 1974 and a cardinal in 2024. He worked as a diplomat for the Holy See (the Pope's government) in many countries. These included New Zealand, the Netherlands, Colombia, Hungary, and Moldova.
Contents
About Angelo Acerbi
Growing Up
Angelo Acerbi was born in Sesta Godano, Italy. He became a priest on March 27, 1948. He studied canon law (church laws) and theology. In 1954, he finished his studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. This academy trains people to work as diplomats for the Holy See. After his studies, he began his career in diplomacy.
Working for the Church Around the World
Angelo Acerbi worked in different countries as a diplomat for the Holy See. He served in places like Colombia, Brazil, Japan, and France. He also worked in the Holy See's main office, helping with international relations. In 1974, he went to Spain to help calm tensions between the church and the government.
On June 22, 1974, Pope Paul VI made him an archbishop. He was also appointed as the Pope's representative (called an apostolic pronuncio) to New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean. On June 30, Pope Paul himself helped consecrate him as a bishop. Later, in 1979, he also became the Pope's representative to Fiji.
On August 14, 1979, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the Pope's representative to Colombia. In February 1980, something unexpected happened. He was taken hostage along with other diplomats by a group of communist rebels. He was held for about two months. During this time, he was allowed to celebrate Mass every day. He was finally released in April.
In March 1990, he was sent to Hungary. He was the first papal representative there after the country became free from communism. While in Hungary, he helped the Holy See make agreements with the Hungarian government. These agreements were about helping the armed forces and border police with religious support. They also worked on agreements for how the Catholic Church's educational activities would be funded. In 1994, he also became the Pope's representative to Moldova.
In February 1997, he moved to the Netherlands to continue his diplomatic work. His active career as a papal diplomat ended on February 27, 2001.
Later Life and Becoming a Cardinal
After his diplomatic career, Angelo Acerbi took on new roles. In June 2001, Pope John Paul II asked him to join two important groups in the Vatican. One group helped with spreading the Christian faith. The other helped with the Holy See's relationships with different countries. In 2002, he also joined a group that helps choose new bishops.
He was also appointed as a prelate for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. This role involved looking after the priests of the Order and helping its leaders. He made sure members followed their religious duties.
On December 7, 2024, Pope Francis made Angelo Acerbi a cardinal. This is a very high rank in the Catholic Church. He became a cardinal deacon. With this, he became the oldest living cardinal.
See also
In Spanish: Angelo Acerbi para niños
- List of heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See
- Cardinals created by Pope Francis
