Fortunato Baldelli

Fortunato Baldelli (6 August 1935 – 20 September 2012)[1] was an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who was appointed a cardinal in 2010[2] after a career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See from 1966 to 2009 that included ten years as Apostolic Nuncio to France. He was also the Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary from 2009 to 2012.[3]

His Eminence

Fortunato Baldelli
SeeMajor Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary
Appointed2 June 2009
Term ended5 January 2012
PredecessorJames Francis Stafford
SuccessorManuel Monteiro de Castro
Other post(s)Cardinal-Deacon of S. Anselmo all’Aventino, Apostolic Nuncio to France, Apostolic Nuncio to Peru
Orders
Ordination18 March 1961
by Giuseppe Placido Maria Nicolini
Consecration23 April 1983
by Agostino Casaroli
Created cardinal20 November 2010
by Pope Benedict XVI
RankCardinal-Deacon
Personal details
Born
Fortunato Baldelli

(1935-08-06)6 August 1935
Valfabbrica, Italy
Died20 September 2012(2012-09-20) (aged 77)
Rome Italy
NationalityItalian
DenominationRoman Catholic
Previous post(s)
  • Titular Archbishop of Mevania (1983–2010)
  • Apostolic Delegate to Angola (1983–1991)
  • Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe (1983–1991)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to Dominican Republic (1991–1993)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to Peru (1993–1999)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to France (1999–2009)
Coat of arms200 px
Styles of
Fortunato Baldelli
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal

Biography

After finishing his primary education, he entered the Seminary of Assisi in 1947, where he finished his secondary education. He was able to continue his education through the death of his parents with the help of his brothers and the assistance of Bishop Placido Nicolini of Assisi. In 1957, Nicolini sent him to the Major Roman Seminary; he attended the Pontifical Lateran University and obtained a licentiate in theology. He earned a doctorate in canon law. Baldelli was ordained priest for the Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino on 18 March 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he was vice-rector of the Minor Seminary of Assisi.

To prepare for a diplomat's career he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1964.[4] He joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1966. His early postings include positions in the missions in Cuba from 1966 to 1970 and the United Arab Republic (Egypt) from 1970 to 1974; in the offices of the Secretariat of State and the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church.

On 12 February 1983, Pope John Paul II appointed him Titular Archbishop of Mevania and apostolic delegate to Angola.[5] He was given additional responsibilities as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe on 4 May 1985.[6]

On 20 April 1991, Pope John Paul named him Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic.[7]

On 23 April 1994, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Peru.[8]

He was appointed apostolic nuncio to France on 19 June 1999.[9]

He was appointed Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary on 2 June 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.[10] He was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 24 July 2010 for the usual five-year term.[11]

Baldelli was present at the coronation of Albert II, Prince of Monaco as non-resident Apostolic Nuncio to Monaco, and read a letter of good wishes and blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.

On 20 October 2010 Pope Benedict announced that he would make him a cardinal in a consistory on 20 November. He was created Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino.

In December 2010 Baldelli was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.[12] On 29 January 2011, he was appointed a member of Secretariat of State (second section).[13]

He retired on 5 January 2012 with the appointment of Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro as his successor.

Baldelli died on 20 September 2012 at Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, where he lived during the last years of his life.

References
  1. "BALDELLI Card. Fortunato". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. "Pope: Card. Baldelli, exemplary witness of Christian and priestly life". archivioradiovaticana.va. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. "Fortunato Cardinal Baldelli [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  4. "Pontificia Accademia Ecclesiastica, Ex-alunni 1950 – 1999" (in Italian). Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  5. Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXV. 1983. pp. 342, 533. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  6. Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXVII. 1985. p. 677. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  7. Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXXIII. 1991. p. 447. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  8. Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXXVI. 1994. p. 451. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  9. Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. XCI. 1999. p. 845. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  10. "RINUNCIA DEL PENITENZIERE MAGGIORE E NOMINA DEL SUCCESSORE". RINUNCE E NOMINE (in Italian). 2 June 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  11. "NOMINA DI MEMBRI DELLA CONGREGAZIONE DELLE CAUSE DEI SANTI". RINUNCE E NOMINE (in Italian). 24 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  12. "NOMINA DI CARDINALI MEMBRI DEI DICASTERI DELLA CURIA ROMANA". RINUNCE E NOMINE (in Italian). 29 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  13. "NOMINA DI MEMBRI DEL CONSIGLIO DI CARDINALI E VESCOVI DELLA SEZIONE PER I RAPPORTI CON GLI STATI DELLA SEGRETERIA DI STATO". RINUNCE E NOMINE (in Italian). 29 January 2011. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
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