Leonardo Sandri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Leonardo Sandri |
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| Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals | |
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Sandri in 2014
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| Appointed | 18 January 2020 |
| Predecessor | Giovanni Battista Re |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2 December 1967 |
| Consecration | 11 October 1997 by Angelo Sodano |
| Created Cardinal | 24 November 2007 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 November 1943 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | Ille fidelis (He remains faithful; 2 Timothy 2:13) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Leonardo Sandri was born on November 18, 1943. He is an important leader in the Catholic Church from Argentina. Since November 2007, he has been a cardinal. He also serves as the vice dean of the College of Cardinals since January 2020. From 2007 to 2022, he was in charge of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. He worked as a diplomat for the Holy See (the government of the Catholic Church) in different countries from 1974 to 1991. He also held a key role in Rome from 1999 to 2007.
Contents
About Leonardo Sandri
Early Life and Education
Leonardo Sandri was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His parents, Antonio Enrico Sandri and Nella Righi, came from a village in Italy called Ala.
He studied important subjects like humanities, philosophy, and theology at the Metropolitan Seminary of Buenos Aires. He also earned a special degree in theology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. On December 2, 1967, he became a priest. He was ordained by Archbishop Juan Carlos Aramburu and then worked as his secretary.
He also served as a priest in a church in Villa Urquiza until 1970. After that, he continued his studies in Rome. He earned a doctorate in canon law (Church law) from the Pontifical Gregorian University. In 1971, he joined the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. This academy trains people to become papal diplomats, who represent the Pope in different countries.
Working as a Diplomat
In 1974, Sandri began his work as a diplomat for the Vatican. He served in places like Madagascar and Mauritius. Later, he worked in the Vatican Secretariat of State. This is a very important office that helps the Pope manage the Church's affairs. He worked there from 1977 to 1989.
From 1989 to 1991, he was a permanent observer for the Holy See at the Organization of American States in the United States. This meant he represented the Vatican in meetings with countries in the Americas.
In 1991, he became a leader in the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household. This office helps organize the Pope's daily activities and events.
Becoming an Archbishop and Nuncio
On July 22, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed Sandri as the Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela. An Apostolic Nuncio is like an ambassador for the Pope in a country. He also became an Archbishop. He received his special blessing as a bishop on October 11, 1997, in St. Peter's Basilica. His motto, "Ille Fidelis," means "He (Christ) remains faithful." He was the first person from Argentina to be an Apostolic Nuncio.
After two years in Venezuela, he was named the Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico in March 2000.
On September 16, 2000, he was given a very important job in the Roman Curia (the Vatican's administration). He became the Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State. This role is like being a chief of staff for the Vatican's main office.
As Pope John Paul II's health declined, Sandri often read speeches for the Pope. On April 2, 2005, he was the one who announced the Pope's passing from Saint Peter's Square.
Leading Eastern Churches
On June 9, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Sandri as the prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. This is a special department in the Vatican that deals with matters concerning the Eastern Catholic Churches. These are Catholic churches that have different traditions and rituals than the Roman Catholic Church. He also became the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, which is a university in Rome. Pope Francis confirmed him in this role in 2014.
Cardinal Sandri visited the Holy Land in 2008. In 2009, he spoke about Christians leaving the region due to conflict. In 2014, he asked for an end to the forced removal of Christians from Iraq and Syria. He noted that many Christians had to leave their homes and were living in difficult conditions.
In November 2014, the Vatican changed a rule from 1929. This change allowed Eastern Catholic churches outside their traditional areas (like in the United States or Canada) to ordain married men as priests. Cardinal Sandri signed this important decree.
Becoming a Cardinal
Pope Benedict XVI made him a Cardinal-Deacon on November 24, 2007. At that time, he gave a speech thanking the Pope on behalf of all the new cardinals.
In April 2008, Cardinal Sandri mentioned that Christians in Iraq felt safer and could practice their faith more freely under the previous government.
In 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, Cardinal Sandri was mentioned as a possible candidate to become the next Pope.
Cardinal Sandri is also a member of several other important Vatican departments. These include groups that deal with faith, spreading the Christian message, promoting unity among Christians, and interreligious dialogue. He also helps with laws and matters concerning Latin America and Vatican City.
In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI chose Cardinal Sandri to be one of the leaders for a special meeting of bishops about the Middle East. He can speak several languages, including English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
In June 2005, he received a high honor from the Italian Republic called the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
On May 19, 2018, he became a Cardinal Priest. Then, on June 28, 2018, Pope Francis raised him to the rank of Cardinal Bishop. On January 24, 2020, Pope Francis approved his election as the Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals.
In November 2022, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti to take over Sandri's role as prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches.
Images for kids
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Cardinal Leonardo Sandri in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Leonardo Sandri para niños
