Eduardo Martínez Somalo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Eduardo Martínez Somalo |
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| Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church | |
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| See | Thagora (titular) |
| Appointed | 5 April 1993 |
| Reign ended | 4 April 2007 |
| Predecessor | Sebastiano Baggio |
| Successor | Tarcisio Bertone |
| Other posts | Cardinal Priest of Santissimo Nome di Gesù (1999–2021) |
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| Ordination | 19 March 1950 |
| Consecration | 13 December 1975 by Jean-Marie Villot |
| Created Cardinal | 28 June 1988 |
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| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Eduardo Martínez Somalo |
| Born | 31 March 1927 Baños de Río Tobía, Kingdom of Spain |
| Died | 10 August 2021 (aged 94) Vatican City |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Eduardo Martínez Somalo (born March 31, 1927 – died August 10, 2021) was an important leader in the Catholic Church from Spain. He spent most of his career working in the Roman Curia, which is like the central government of the Catholic Church. He held many key positions, including leading two important departments.
He became a cardinal in 1988. From 1993 to 2007, he was the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. This special role meant he was in charge of the Holy See (the Pope's office) when there was no Pope. He served in this role after Pope John Paul II died and before Pope Benedict XVI was chosen. Earlier in his career, he also served as a diplomat for the Vatican in Colombia.
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Early Life and Studies
Eduardo Martínez Somalo was born in a town called Baños de Rio Tobia in Spain. He began his studies to become a priest at a local seminary. A seminary is a special school for people who want to become priests.
He then moved to Rome, Italy, to continue his education. He studied at the Pontifical Spanish College and the Pontifical Gregorian University. Here, he earned special degrees in theology and canon law. Canon law is the set of rules and laws that govern the Catholic Church.
He became a priest on March 19, 1950. For several years, he worked in the administration of his home diocese and taught at a school. To prepare for a diplomatic career, which means working as a representative for the Vatican in other countries, he joined the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1954.
In 1956, he earned a doctorate degree in canon law. After that, he started working in the Roman Curia, specifically in the Secretariat of State. This department helps the Pope with his daily work and international relations. He also taught at the Ecclesiastical Academy for many years. In 1975, he was appointed an archbishop and became the Vatican's representative, or apostolic nuncio, to Colombia.
Working in the Vatican
In 1979, Pope John Paul II asked him to return to the Secretariat of State. He became the Substitute for General Affairs, which is a very important role in the Vatican's central administration.
Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal on June 28, 1988. Cardinals are high-ranking officials in the Catholic Church, usually chosen by the Pope. They often help advise the Pope and elect new Popes.
Cardinal Martínez Somalo led two important departments in the Vatican. From 1988 to 1992, he was the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. This department deals with how Catholic services are performed. Then, from 1992 to 2004, he led the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This department oversees religious orders and groups within the Church. He retired from this role in 2004.
Role as Camerlengo
On April 5, 1993, Cardinal Martínez Somalo was given the special job of Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. He held this position until April 4, 2007. The Camerlengo has a very important role when a Pope dies. They are in charge of the Vatican's affairs until a new Pope is elected.
When Pope John Paul II passed away, Cardinal Martínez Somalo became the acting leader of Vatican City for 17 days. This was the time between Pope John Paul II's death and the election of Pope Benedict XVI.
As Camerlengo, it was his duty to officially confirm the death of Pope John Paul II. He performed a traditional ritual and then removed the Pope's special ring, called the Ring of the Fisherman. He also led some of the funeral services for Pope John Paul II. A few days after the Pope's death, he used a silver hammer to crush the Pope's ring and destroyed his lead seal. These actions are part of the tradition to show that the Pope's reign has ended.
Later Life and Death
Cardinal Martínez Somalo had heart surgery in 2003. In July 2021, he had a heart attack. He passed away at his home in Vatican City on August 10, 2021, at the age of 94.
Awards and Honors
- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1972)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (1983)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1985)
