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Angelo SodanoDean of the College of Cardinals
Date of Birth: 23.11.1927
Country:  Vatican |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Priesthood and Diplomatic Career
- Archbishop and Nuncio to Chile
- Return to Rome and Vatican Offices
- Cardinalate and Vatican Offices
- Dean of the College of Cardinals
- Retirement
- Legacy and Influence
- Awards and Honors
Early Life and Education
Angelo Sodano was born in the Diocese of Asti, Italy. He pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the Diocesan Seminary in Asti. Sodano later earned doctorates in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University.
Priesthood and Diplomatic Career
Sodano was ordained a priest on September 23, 1950. He initially devoted himself to teaching dogmatic theology in diocesan seminaries. In 1959, he moved to Rome and entered the Holy See's diplomatic service. He served as an attaché in the Apostolic Nunciatures to Ecuador, Uruguay, and Chile.
In 1963, Sodano became a Chaplain to His Holiness upon the election of Pope Paul VI. He subsequently held a position in the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church of the Roman Curia in 1968.
Archbishop and Nuncio to Chile
On November 30, 1977, Sodano was appointed Titular Archbishop of Nova di Cesare and Apostolic Nuncio to Chile. He developed a close relationship with then-President Augusto Pinochet, drawing criticism from progressives for not speaking out about human rights abuses in Chile.
Return to Rome and Vatican Offices
Sodano returned to Rome as the Secretary of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church in 1988. In 1989, this body was renamed the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.
Cardinalate and Vatican Offices
Pope John Paul II elevated Sodano to the rank of Cardinal-Bishop in 1994 and appointed him Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals in 2002. Upon Pope Benedict XVI's election, Sodano served as Dean pro Tempore for the Papal Inauguration. On April 30, 2005, Benedict XVI confirmed Sodano's election as Dean of the College of Cardinals.
Dean of the College of Cardinals
Sodano has served as Dean of the College of Cardinals since 2005, guiding the body responsible for electing the Pope.
Retirement
Sodano reached the age of 75 in 2002, at which point he submitted his resignation to Pope John Paul II. However, the Pope requested him to remain as Secretary of State despite the customary retirement age.
Legacy and Influence
Sodano's tenure as Secretary of State was marked by his close relationship with Pope John Paul II. He is considered an influential figure within the Roman Curia, despite concerns about his lack of experience outside the Vatican.
Awards and Honors
Sodano has received several honors, including:Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1988)
Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
Order of Friendship, 1st degree (Kazakhstan, 2001)
Chain of the Order of the Star of Romania (2004)
