Domenico Tardini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Domenico Tardini |
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| Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine | |
Domenico Tardini in 1958
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 15 December 1958 |
| Predecessor | Domenico Jorio |
| Successor | Joaquín Anselmo María Albareda y Ramoneda |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 21 September 1912 |
| Consecration | 27 December 1958 by Pope John XXIII |
| Created Cardinal | 15 December 1958 |
| Rank | Cardinal-deacon |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Domenico Tardini |
| Born | 29 February 1888 Rome, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | 30 July 1961 (aged 73) Rome, Italy |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
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| Styles of Domenico Tardini |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | None |
Domenico Tardini (born February 29, 1888 – died July 30, 1961) was an important helper to Pope Pius XII in the Secretariat of State. This is like the Pope's main office for dealing with other countries and Church matters. Later, Pope John XXIII made him the Cardinal Secretary of State. This was the most important job in the Roman Curia, which is the group of offices that help the Pope manage the Vatican City.
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Early Life and Education
Domenico Tardini was born in Rome, Italy. He went to the Angelo Braschi School. In 1903, he joined the Pontifical Roman Seminary. He studied philosophy and theology there and graduated with high honors.
On September 21, 1912, he became a priest. After that, he taught about religious ceremonies and theology at the Roman Seminary. He also taught at the Collegio Urbano, another important school.
Working for the Church
In 1923, Pope Pius XI asked him to be a general assistant for the Catholic Action movement. This movement helps Catholics get involved in their communities. Two years later, the Pope also asked him to help with another group called Società della Gioventù Cattolica Italiana.
From 1921 onwards, Tardini also worked in the Congregation of Ordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs. This office handles many daily tasks for the Church. He became a key leader there. He worked closely with Giovanni Battista Montini, who later became Pope Paul VI. They were the main assistants to Cardinal Secretary of State Eugenio Pacelli, who later became Pope Pius XII.
Working in the Vatican
After Eugenio Pacelli became Pope Pius XII, he chose Luigi Maglione to be the new Cardinal Secretary of State. However, Pope Pius XII still worked very closely with Monsignor Giovanni Battista Montini and Domenico Tardini.
When Maglione passed away in 1944, Pope Pius XII decided not to appoint a new Cardinal Secretary of State right away. Instead, he put Tardini in charge of the Vatican's foreign affairs. Montini was put in charge of internal Church matters.
Declining a Cardinal's Hat
Tardini and Montini continued their important work until 1952. At that time, Pope Pius XII wanted to make both of them Cardinals. Being a Cardinal is a very high honor in the Church. However, both Tardini and Montini politely turned down this offer.
When Tardini thanked the Pope for not making him a Cardinal, Pope Pius XII smiled. He said, "My Monsignor, you thank me for not letting me do what I wanted to do." Tardini replied, "Yes, Holy Father, I thank you for everything you have done for me, but even more for what you have not done for me." The Pope just smiled.
In November 1952, Pope Pius XII gave Tardini another important role. He was named Pro-Secretary of State for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs. This meant he was basically working as a Secretary of State, alongside Giovanni Battista Montini. They were also given permission to wear special bishop's clothing. Tardini stayed in this role until Pope Pius XII died.
Helping Children
Domenico Tardini truly loved children. He "adopted" the orphans of Villa Nazareth. He worked hard to get them help and support. He even arranged for them to meet Pope Pius XII on TV. Later, Pope John XXIII also visited them. These visits helped raise money for the children who needed it.
Becoming a Cardinal
After Pope Pius XII died in October 1958, many people thought Tardini might become the next Pope. This was unusual because he was not yet a Cardinal or even a bishop. People thought he was a "papabile," meaning someone who could be chosen as Pope. This was because he knew Pope Pius XII so well and was very close to him.
However, the newly elected Pope John XXIII chose Tardini to be his Cardinal Secretary of State. This filled the important position that had been empty for a long time. Even though he had turned down being a Cardinal before, he accepted the honor this time. He became a Cardinal on December 15, 1958. He was given the title of Cardinal-Deacon of S. Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine. Later that month, he was also ordained as a titular archbishop.
Accepting the Role
Tardini did not want the job of Secretary of State. On the night Pope John XXIII was elected, or perhaps the next morning, the new Pope asked to see Tardini. Pope John XXIII asked him to become his Secretary of State. Tardini went to the meeting feeling unsure.
He later said, "He did not give me any choice." Tardini told the Pope that he felt new policies would need new people. He reminded the Pope that they had disagreed in the past. He also said he was tired and his health was not good. He spoke about his dream of spending all his time helping the orphan boys of Villa Nazareth.
But none of this changed Pope John XXIII's mind. The Pope listened kindly but replied to every point, "I understand, but I want you to be my Secretary of State." Finally, Tardini knelt down and accepted the Pope's request.
Important Work as Secretary of State
As Secretary of State, Tardini did something new in October 1959. He held a press conference to talk about the Vatican's money. This was during a disagreement about pay for Vatican employees.
On January 20, 1959, Pope John XXIII called Cardinal Tardini to discuss an idea: holding an Ecumenical Council. This would be a big meeting of all bishops from around the world. Tardini's response was very positive, which surprised the Pope. Pope John XXIII later said that this discussion was the key moment that made him decide to hold the council. Tardini helped prepare for this major event. He reportedly tried to resign several times due to his health, but Pope John XXIII always asked him to stay.
Domenico Tardini passed away in Rome on July 30, 1961, from a heart attack. He was buried in the Carmel at Vetralla. One year after his death, Pope John XXIII left the Vatican to visit his burial place and pay his respects.
Honours
- 1935: Grand Officer in the Order of Leopold (Belgium).
Literature
- Carlo Felice Casula, Domenico Tardini 1888 – 1961, Edizione Studium Roma, Roma, 1988
- Peter Hebblethwaite, John XXIII, Pope of the Council, Revised Edition, HarperCollins, London, 1994
- Pascalina Lehnert, Ich durfte Ihm Dienen, Erinnerungen an Papst Pius XII., Naumann, Würzburg, 1984
- Giulio Nicolini, Il Cardinale Domenico Tardini, Messagero, Padova, ISBN: 88-7026-340-1
- Pio XII, La Allocuzione nel consistorio Segreto del 12 Gennaio 1953 in Pio XII, Discorsi e Radiomessagi di Sua Santita, Vatican City, 1953
- John F. Pollard, Money and the Rise of the Modern Papacy: Financing the Vatican, 1850–1950, Cambridge University Press, 2005
- Giancarlo Zizola, L’Utopia di Papa Giovanni Citadelle Editrice, Assisi, 1973
- Burkhart Schneider, Pius XII, Friede, das Werk der Gerechtigkeit, Musterschmidt, Frankfurt, Göttingen, 1968
See also
In Spanish: Domenico Tardini para niños
