Tarcisio Bertone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Tarcisio Bertone SDB |
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| Cardinal Secretary of State Emeritus | |
Bertone in 2010
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| Appointed | 15 September 2006 |
| Reign ended | 15 October 2013 |
| Predecessor | Angelo Sodano |
| Successor | Pietro Parolin |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati (2008–present) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1 July 1960 |
| Consecration | 1 August 1991 by Albino Mensa |
| Created Cardinal | 21 October 2003 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone |
| Born | 2 December 1934 Romano Canavese, Kingdom of Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Salesian Pontifical University (JCD) |
| Motto | Fidem custodire, concordiam servare (Protect faith, preserve unity) |
| Signature |  |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Tarcisio Bertone |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Frascati (Suburbicarian) |
Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone (born 2 December 1934) is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church. A prelate is a high-ranking religious leader. He is also a Vatican diplomat, which means he represents the Vatican in international relations.
He became a cardinal in 2003. A cardinal is a senior leader in the Catholic Church, usually chosen by the Pope. He served as the Archbishop of Vercelli from 1991 to 1995. He was also the Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, a very important department in the Vatican. Later, he became the Archbishop of Genoa from 2002 to 2006.
From 2006 to 2013, he held the powerful position of Cardinal Secretary of State. This role is like being the Pope's chief advisor and head of the Vatican's government. In 2008, he was named Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati.
Bertone also served as Camerlengo from 2007 to 2014. The Camerlengo manages the Vatican when there is no Pope. This happened when Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013. During that time, Bertone was the temporary head of the Vatican City State. Many people thought he might become the next Pope.
Besides Italian, Bertone speaks French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. He can also read Polish, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tarcisio Bertone was born in Romano Canavese, Italy, on December 2, 1934. He was the fifth of eight children. His mother was a strong anti-fascist and later a Christian Democrat.
On December 3, 1950, he joined the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious group. He became a priest on July 1, 1960. Archbishop Albino Mensa ordained him.
Bertone studied canon law and earned a doctorate. Canon law is the set of rules and laws of the Catholic Church. His special paper was about how the Church was governed by Pope Benedict XIV.
He taught at the Pontifical Salesian University from 1967 to 1991. He was a professor of moral theology and canon law. In 1978, he also taught at the Pontifical Lateran University.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II asked Bertone to help Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo. Milingo had left the Catholic Church to marry. Bertone helped him return to the Church.
Becoming an Archbishop and Cardinal
On July 4, 1991, Pope John Paul II appointed Bertone as the Archbishop of Vercelli. One month later, he became a bishop. Archbishop Mensa, who had ordained him as a priest, also consecrated him as a bishop.
He served as Archbishop of Vercelli until 1995. Then, he became the Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This department helps to protect and explain Catholic teachings. He worked under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI.
On December 10, 2002, Bertone was appointed Archbishop of Genoa. He started this role on February 2, 2003. Later that year, on October 21, 2003, he was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II. This event is called a consistory. He became a Cardinal-Priest.
Bertone also helped revise the 1983 Code of Canon Law. He also did pastoral work in churches. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II asked Bertone to publish the third secret of Fatima. This was a special message from the Virgin Mary.
Bertone was one of the cardinals who voted in the 2005 papal conclave. This was the election that chose Pope Benedict XVI. He also voted in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.
Role as Cardinal Secretary of State
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On June 22, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI chose Bertone to be the new Cardinal Secretary of State. He took office on September 15. This role is very important, like a prime minister for the Vatican.
Some people noted that Bertone did not have much experience in Vatican diplomacy before this role. He had mainly worked in Church law and teaching.
On April 4, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI also made Bertone the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. The Camerlengo's main job is to manage the Vatican when the Pope's position is empty. This period is called the Sede vacante.
On May 10, 2008, Bertone was promoted to a higher rank within the cardinals. He became a Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati.
When Pope Benedict XVI resigned on February 28, 2013, Bertone became the acting leader of Vatican City. He managed the Holy See until a new Pope was elected.
On February 13, 2013, Bertone spoke at Pope Benedict XVI's last public Mass. He praised the Pope, saying that his decision to resign showed great courage and deep love for God and the Church.
Bertone was a very senior cardinal who voted in the 2013 conclave. He was considered a possible candidate for Pope. At Pope Francis's inauguration, Bertone was one of six cardinals who publicly showed their obedience to the new Pope.
Bertone was a member of several important Vatican departments. These included groups dealing with faith, clergy, worship, and bishops. He remained a member until his 80th birthday in 2014.
Retirement and Later Life
Bertone's retirement as Secretary of State was announced on August 31, 2013. He officially left the role on October 15. Pope Francis chose Pietro Parolin to take his place.
A few weeks after Bertone turned 80, Pope Francis named Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran as the new Camerlengo. This happened on December 20, 2014.
In an interview in 2015, Bertone said he was not surprised by Pope Benedict's resignation. He had known about it for a long time before it happened.
Awards and Honors
In February 2010, the President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, gave Bertone a high award. It was the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Poland. He received it for helping Poland and the Vatican work together.
Bertone also received the Gaudium et Spes Award in 2007. This award is given by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization.
Images for kids
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Tarcisio Bertone's signature
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In Spanish: Tarcisio Bertone para niños
