Pietro Parolin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Pietro Parolin OMRI |
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| Cardinal Secretary of State | |
Parolin in 2021
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| Appointed | 15 October 2013 |
| Predecessor | Tarcisio Bertone SDB |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Bishop of Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo a Torre Angela Member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 27 April 1980 |
| Consecration | 12 September 2009 by Benedict XVI |
| Created Cardinal | 22 February 2014 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1955 Schiavon, Veneto, Italy |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Previous post | Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela (2009–2013) Titular Archbishop of Aquipendium (2009–2014) |
| Alma mater | Pontifical Gregorian University Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy |
| Motto | Quis nos separabit a caritate Christi? (Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Pietro Parolin |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Pietro Parolin is an important leader in the Catholic Church. He was born in Italy on January 17, 1955. Since October 2013, he has been the Cardinal Secretary of State for the Vatican. This means he is like the Pope's top diplomat and chief of staff.
Before this big role, he worked for 30 years in the Vatican's diplomatic service. He served in countries like Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela. He also spent more than six years as an Undersecretary, helping with the Vatican's relationships with different countries. He speaks Italian, English, French, and Spanish.
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Early Life and Education
Pietro Parolin grew up in a town called Schiavon in Italy. His father managed a hardware store, and his mother was a teacher. When he was ten, his father passed away in a car accident.
After becoming a priest on April 27, 1980, he continued his studies. He studied canon law (church law) and diplomacy at special universities in Rome. In 1986, when he was 31, he began working in the Vatican's diplomatic service.
Early Diplomatic Missions
His first job was in Nigeria for three years. There, he learned about the challenges between Christians and Muslims.
From 1989 to 1992, he worked in Mexico. He helped the Catholic Church get legal recognition there. This led to the Vatican and Mexico having official diplomatic relations again after 130 years.
Later, while working in Rome, he was in charge of relations with Spain, Andorra, Italy, and San Marino.
Working for World Peace
From 2002 to 2009, Parolin was the Undersecretary of State for Relations with States. This role meant he helped manage the Vatican's relationships with countries around the world.
Nuclear Disarmament Efforts
He played a key part in the Vatican's efforts to support the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. This treaty aims to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. In 2006, he spoke about the importance of this treaty. He said it is the only legal tool to work towards a world without nuclear weapons. He also stressed that countries should cooperate to solve issues like Iran's nuclear program through diplomacy.
Protecting Our Planet
In 2007, he spoke at the United Nations about climate change. He said that countries have a "responsibility to protect" the Earth's climate. This means working to reduce climate change and protect our planet for future generations.
Important Diplomatic Missions
Parolin handled many sensitive tasks for the Vatican. He traveled to North Korea and Vietnam. He also attended a conference in 2007 about peace in the Middle East.
He helped improve relations between the Vatican and Vietnam. He also worked on legal issues between the Vatican and Israel. During his time, direct contact was re-established with China in 2005. He even helped free 15 British navy members captured by Iranian forces in 2007.
Serving as a Nuncio
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Parolin as the Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela. A nuncio is like the Pope's ambassador to a country. He became a bishop on September 12, 2009. This job in Venezuela was expected to be challenging. There were growing conflicts between the government and the Church at that time.
Becoming Secretary of State
On August 31, 2013, Pope Francis chose Parolin to be the new Cardinal Secretary of State. He officially started this important role on October 15. At 58, he was the youngest Secretary of State since 1929.
He said that the Pope's actions have given new energy to the Vatican's diplomacy. He hoped they could increase efforts for peace around the world. He noted that the Vatican has a unique advantage through its international diplomatic presence.
Key Roles and Appointments
On December 16, 2013, Parolin was named a member of the Congregation for Bishops. This group helps the Pope choose new bishops. In February 2014, he also joined the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
Pope Francis made him a Cardinal-Priest on February 22, 2014. He regularly attends meetings of the Council of Cardinal Advisers. In July 2014, he became the ninth member of this important council.
Mediating Peace and Diplomacy
In 2014, Venezuela's President invited Cardinal Parolin to help with peace talks. These talks were between the government and opposition groups. Parolin, who had been a nuncio in Venezuela, was asked to be a "good faith witness" to the discussions.
In December 2014, Cardinal Parolin asked the U.S. to find a good solution for prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. This showed Pope Francis's concern for treating prisoners with dignity.
The Vatican played a big role in restoring relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Parolin helped moderate meetings between officials from both countries in 2014. In 2015, he said that the Vatican's diplomacy is always there to "help to build bridges" and propose solutions for conflicts.
In May 2015, he visited Abu Dhabi to open a new Catholic church.
In May 2016, Parolin visited Estonia. He spoke about the meaning of international relations.
He was appointed a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in October 2016.
In 2017, Parolin became the first Vatican Secretary of State in 19 years to visit Moscow.
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In 2018, Pope Francis raised him to the rank of Cardinal Bishop.
In 2019, Parolin defended an agreement between the Holy See and China. This agreement was about appointing bishops. He said it helps religious freedom and normalizes the Catholic community there.
In 2020, Pope Francis confirmed Parolin's membership in the Council of Cardinals.
After the Taliban took control in Afghanistan in August 2021, Pope Francis asked Parolin to talk with them. The goal was to stop them from harming civilians who had worked with international forces.
Recent Diplomatic Efforts
Regarding the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Cardinal Parolin said there was still time for negotiation. He urged leaders to prevent war and protect everyone's rights. In May 2022, he stated that supplying weapons to Ukraine for self-defense is morally right.
In 2023, Cardinal Parolin visited Armenia and Azerbaijan. His goal was to encourage peace talks between these two countries. He also represented the Pope at the COP28 in Abu Dhabi.
On the 2024 Israel–Hamas war, Cardinal Parolin said Israel has a right to defend itself. However, he stressed that this defense must be fair and not cause too many deaths.
Cardinal Parolin visited Ukraine in July 2024. He met with leaders there as the Holy See continues to push for peace.
Distinctions
Italy: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Serbia: Cross of the Order of the Republic of Serbia (2015)
Romania: Order of the Star of Romania
Mexico: Band of the Order of the Aztec Eagle
Latvia: Order of the Three Stars (10 May 2021)
Images for kids
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Pietro Parolin's coat of arms
See also
In Spanish: Pietro Parolin para niños
- Cardinals created by Francis
