Lorenzo Antonetti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Lorenzo Antonetti |
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| President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See | |
| See | Sant’Agnese in Agone |
| Appointed | 24 June 1995 (Pro-President) |
| Reign ended | 5 November 1998 |
| Predecessor | José Tomás Sánchez |
| Successor | Agostino Cacciavillan |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Agnese in Agone |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 26 May 1945 |
| Consecration | 12 May 1968 by Amleto Giovanni Cicognani |
| Created Cardinal | 21 February 1998 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 July 1922 Romagnano Sesia |
| Died | 10 April 2013 (aged 90) |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | caritas et patientia christi |
| Coat of arms |  |
Lorenzo Antonetti (born July 31, 1922 – died April 10, 2013) was an important leader in the Catholic Church. He became a Cardinal and worked for the Vatican in many different countries. He was part of the Vatican's diplomatic service.
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Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Lorenzo Antonetti was born in Romagnano Sesia, Italy, on July 31, 1922. When he was 22, on May 26, 1945, he became a priest in Novara, Italy. After serving in the diocese of Novara for a year, he went to Rome to study more.
His Studies in Rome
From 1947 to 1951, he studied at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. Here, he earned a special degree in theology, which is the study of religious faith. Later, he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He earned another degree in canon law, which is the set of rules and laws for the Catholic Church.
Starting a Diplomatic Career
After his studies, Lorenzo Antonetti joined the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. This school trains people to become diplomats for the Vatican. In 1951, he started working for the Vatican's main office, called the Secretariat of State.
His first jobs as a diplomat were in different countries:
- From 1952 to 1955, he worked in Lebanon.
- From 1956 to 1959, he worked in Venezuela.
- From 1963 to 1967, he was a counselor in France.
- In 1968, he worked in the United States.
In 1964, he was given the special title of Monsignor. In 1968, at age 45, he was named a Titular Archbishop of Rusellae. This means he was given the title of an archbishop, but for a historical area that no longer exists.
Serving as the Pope's Ambassador
Lorenzo Antonetti became an Apostolic Nuncio on February 23, 1968. An Apostolic Nuncio is like an ambassador for the Pope in another country. He represents the Pope and the Vatican.
He served as the Pope's ambassador in several places:
- From 1968, he was the Nuncio to Honduras and Nicaragua.
- On June 29, 1973, he became the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Democratic Republic of Congo (which was then called Zaire). He stayed there until 1977.
- From 1988 to 1995, he was the Apostolic Nuncio to France.
In 1995, Pope John Paul II gave him an important job in the Vatican. He became the Pro-President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. This office manages the Vatican's property and money.
Becoming a Cardinal
| Styles of Lorenzo Cardinal Antonetti |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Rusellae (titular) |
On February 21, 1998, Pope John Paul II made Lorenzo Antonetti a Cardinal-Deacon. This is a very high rank in the Catholic Church. He was given the title for the church of Saint Agnes in Agone in Rome.
In November 1998, he retired from his role as president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. He then became the President Emeritus, meaning he held the title honorably after retirement.
On March 1, 2008, he was given an even higher rank. He was elevated to Cardinal-Priest. Lorenzo Antonetti passed away in Novara, Italy, on April 10, 2013.
