Francesco Monterisi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Francesco Monterisi |
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| Archpriest Emeritus of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls | |
Monterisi in Sarajevo in 2012
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 3 July 2009 |
| Reign ended | 23 November 2012 |
| Predecessor | Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo |
| Successor | James Michael Harvey |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest 'pro hac vice' of San Paolo alla Regola (2021-) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 16 March 1957 |
| Consecration | 6 January 1983 by Pope John Paul II |
| Created Cardinal | 20 November 2010 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Deacon (2010-21) Cardinal-Priest (2021-) |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Francesco Marco Nicola Monterisi |
| Born | 28 May 1934 Barletta, Kingdom of Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Denomination | Catholic (Roman Rite) |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Lateran University Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy |
| Motto | Fortitudo mea Dominus |
| Coat of arms |  |
Francesco Marco Nicola Monterisi (born 28 May 1934) is an Italian cardinal in the Catholic Church. He worked as a diplomat for the Holy See (the Pope's government) from 1964 to 1998. After that, he held important jobs in the Roman Curia (the Pope's main offices) until he retired in 2014.
Becoming a Priest
Francesco Monterisi was born in Barletta, Italy, in 1934. After finishing his early schooling, he went to seminary. A seminary is a special school where people study to become priests.
From 1951 to 1958, he studied at the Pontifical Lateran University. There, he earned a special degree in theology, which is the study of religious faith.
On 16 March 1957, he became a priest. For a few years, he worked in his home region of Apulia. In 1961, he began training to be a diplomat for the Pope at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He also earned another degree in canon law (church law) in 1964. That same year, he started working as a diplomat for the Holy See.
Serving as a Nuncio
A Nuncio is like an ambassador for the Pope. They represent the Pope and the Catholic Church in different countries.
On 24 December 1982, Francesco Monterisi was appointed as the Pope's representative (called a Pro-Nuncio) to Korea. He also became an Archbishop, which is a high-ranking bishop.
On 6 January 1983, he was officially made a bishop by Pope John Paul II. This special ceremony is called an episcopal consecration.
In 1990, Monterisi was given a new role. He became responsible for managing the staff of Vatican diplomats and other workers in the Roman Curia.
On 11 June 1993, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the first Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Working in the Roman Curia
| Styles of Francesco Monterisi |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
On 7 March 1998, Pope John Paul II named him Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops. This is an important office that helps the Pope choose new bishops around the world. While working there, he was also the secretary for the College of Cardinals.
He played a key role in the 2005 papal conclave. This was the special meeting where cardinals gathered to elect a new Pope after Pope John Paul II passed away. In that conclave, Pope Benedict XVI was chosen.
On 3 July 2009, Pope Benedict XVI gave Archbishop Monterisi a new important job. He became the Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls. This means he was in charge of one of the most important churches in Rome.
On 20 November 2010, he was made a Cardinal-Deacon by Pope Benedict XVI. A cardinal is a very high-ranking official in the Catholic Church, chosen by the Pope. Cardinals advise the Pope and, if they are under 80, they can vote for a new Pope.
As a cardinal, he was also appointed to other important groups. These included the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
He was one of the cardinals who voted in the 2013 papal conclave. In this meeting, Pope Francis was elected as the new Pope.
After serving for ten years as a cardinal deacon, he chose to become a cardinal priest. Pope Francis confirmed this change on 3 May 2021.
See also
In Spanish: Francesco Monterisi para niños
