Agostino Casaroli Italian curial cardinal. Date of Birth: 24.11.1914 Country: Italy

Biography of Agostino Casaroli

Agostino Casaroli was an Italian cardinal, born on November 24, 1914, in Castel San Giovanni, Italy. He studied at the Alberoni College in Piacenza and later attended the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome. In 1939, he graduated from the Pontifical Lateran University with a degree in Canon Law.

Casaroli began his priestly service in 1940 as an archivist in the Section for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs of the Vatican Secretariat of State. He then served as a Papal Chamberlain and a secretary in the Vatican Secretariat of State. In 1955, he accompanied Cardinal Antonio Samorè to Rio de Janeiro for the first conference of Latin American bishops.

In 1967, Casaroli was appointed the Secretary of the Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, which later became the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church. He was consecrated as the titular Archbishop of Carthage on July 16, 1967, by Pope Paul VI. Throughout his episcopal ministry, Casaroli played key roles in diplomatic relations with various countries, including the Soviet Union, Poland, Hungary, and Yugoslavia.

On June 30, 1979, Casaroli was elevated to the rank of cardinal, with the title of the Twelve Holy Apostles. He served as the Secretary of State of the Holy See and the President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City from July 1, 1979, until December 1, 1990. During his tenure, he signed several agreements and treaties on behalf of the Holy See, including the revision of the Lateran Treaty with Italy in 1984.

Casaroli's diplomatic efforts extended beyond Europe, as he also visited countries in the Americas, including Cuba, Argentina, and the United States. He actively participated in international conferences, such as the United Nations General Assembly and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

After his retirement, Casaroli dedicated himself to priestly service, particularly among young inmates in the Casal del Marmo juvenile prison in Rome. He passed away on June 9, 1998, and was buried in the Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua in the Church of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome.

Throughout his life, Cardinal Agostino Casaroli received numerous honors and awards, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and the Grand Cross of the Order of Christ and the Order of Infante Dom Henrique from Portugal. He was also recognized by Austria with the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria.