Angelo Sodano facts for kids
Angelo Raffaele Sodano (born November 23, 1927 – died May 27, 2022) was an important leader in the Catholic Church. He was an Italian cardinal from 1991. He served as the Dean of the College of Cardinals from 2005 to 2019. He was also the Cardinal Secretary of State from 1991 to 2006. This role is like being the Pope's top helper and foreign minister.
Cardinal Sodano worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See (the Vatican's government) starting in 1959. He was the Vatican's ambassador, called a nuncio, to Chile for ten years, from 1978 to 1988. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation as Secretary of State. Later, in 2019, Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Angelo Sodano GCC |
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| Dean of the College of Cardinals | |
Angelo Sodano in 2016
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| Province | Diocese of Rome |
| See | Albano, S. Maria Nuova (in commendam) |
| Appointed | 30 April 2005 |
| Reign ended | 21 December 2019 |
| Predecessor | Joseph Ratzinger |
| Successor | Giovanni Battista Re |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 23 September 1950 |
| Consecration | 15 January 1978 by Antonio Samorè |
| Created Cardinal | 28 June 1991 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest (1991–1994) Cardinal-Bishop (1994–2022) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 November 1927 Isola d'Asti, Piedmont, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 27 May 2022 (aged 94) Rome, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Denomination | Catholic |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Gregorian University Pontifical Lateran University |
| Motto | ut unum sint (that they may be one) |
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| Styles of Angelo Sodano |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Albano (suburbicarian), S. Maria Nuova (in commendam) |
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Contents
Early Life and Education
Angelo Sodano was born on November 23, 1927, in Isola d'Asti, Italy. He was one of six children. His father was a politician who served in the Italian Parliament.
Angelo studied to become a priest at the seminary in Asti. He was ordained a priest on September 23, 1950. After that, he worked in parishes and taught theology.
He continued his studies in Rome. He earned advanced degrees in theology and church law. In 1959, he joined the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. This academy trains priests for diplomatic work for the Vatican. He then began working as a secretary in Vatican embassies in Latin America.
Vatican Ambassador
On November 30, 1977, Angelo Sodano was appointed as an apostolic nuncio to Chile. An apostolic nuncio is like the Vatican's ambassador to a country. He was also named an archbishop. He spoke several languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.
He arrived in Chile during a difficult time. The country was facing political problems. Sodano worked to help people and solve issues. For example, he tried to help political exiles return home. He also helped some people seeking safety leave the country.
In 1987, Pope John Paul II visited Chile. Sodano helped arrange for the Pope to meet with leaders who were against the government. The next year, the Pope appointed Sodano to a role similar to a foreign minister for the Vatican. On June 28, 1991, he became a cardinal.
Secretary of State
On June 29, 1991, Cardinal Sodano became the Cardinal Secretary of State. This is a very important position, like being the Pope's chief of staff and foreign minister. On January 10, 1994, Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal Bishop of Albano.
In 2002, when Cardinal Sodano turned 75, which is a common retirement age, Pope John Paul II asked him to continue in his role. On November 30, 2002, he was elected as the vice-dean of the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal Sodano took part in the 2005 papal conclave. This was the meeting where cardinals elected Pope Benedict XVI. Because the person who became Pope (Cardinal Ratzinger) was the dean, Sodano, as the vice-dean, asked him if he accepted his election. He also asked what name he would choose as Pope. At the new Pope's inauguration, Sodano presented him with the Ring of the Fisherman.
Pope Benedict XVI reappointed Sodano as Secretary of State in April 2005. He also confirmed Sodano's election as the Dean of the College of Cardinals. However, on June 22, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Sodano's resignation as Secretary of State.
When Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013, Cardinal Sodano, as Dean, called the cardinals together for the next conclave. He led the special Mass before the conclave began. He was too old to vote in the conclave himself. At the inauguration of Pope Francis, Sodano again presented the Ring of the Fisherman to the new Pope.
On December 21, 2019, Pope Francis accepted Cardinal Sodano's resignation as Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Death
Cardinal Angelo Sodano passed away on May 27, 2022. He was 94 years old. He died from problems related to COVID-19 and pneumonia.
Pope Francis spoke about Cardinal Sodano after his death. He remembered his hard work for many Popes. He noted that Sodano carried out his duties with great dedication. Pope Francis also said he benefited from Sodano's wisdom and kindness.
Following his wishes, Cardinal Sodano was buried in the crypt of the cathedral in Asti, Italy.
Awards
- 2004: International Vittorino Colombo Prize
Images for kids
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Angelo Sodano with Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of the U.S. in 2005
See also
In Spanish: Angelo Sodano para niños
