Carlo Maria Martini Italian cardinal, Jesuit, Archbishop of Milan from January 6, 1980 to July 11, 2002. Date of Birth: 15.02.1927 Country: Italy

Biography of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini

Carlo Maria Martini was an Italian cardinal, Jesuit, and the Archbishop of Milan from January 6, 1980, to July 11, 2002. He was widely regarded as one of the most "progressive" members of the College of Cardinals.

Early Life and Education
Martini entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1944 and was ordained as a priest on July 13, 1952, by Cardinal Maurilio Fossati, the Archbishop of Turin. In 1958, he earned a doctoral degree in theology, specializing in fundamental theology, from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He became a professor of textual criticism at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in 1962 and was appointed the rector of the institute in 1969. In 1978, Martini was elected as the rector magnificus of the Pontifical Gregorian University with the support of Pope Paul VI.

Archbishop of Milan
On December 29, 1979, Pope John Paul II appointed Martini as the Archbishop of Milan. He was consecrated as a bishop on January 6, 1980, in the Vatican. As the Archbishop of Milan, Martini served in one of the largest and most prominent dioceses. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal on February 2, 1983, with the title of Cardinal Priest of the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome.

Contributions and Controversies
Martini gained widespread recognition for his comprehensive and unbiased works, which were highly regarded in some circles and infamous in others. He edited numerous academic publications and was the only Catholic member of the Ecumenical Committee for the preparation of the Greek edition of the New Testament.

Throughout his tenure, Martini was known for his progressive views, which placed him in unofficial opposition to Pope Benedict XVI. In 2006, he made controversial remarks on the use of condoms in certain situations to prevent the transmission of HIV. These comments sparked a debate within the Catholic Church, as the official doctrine opposes the use of condoms in any circumstance.

Legacy and Death
Martini's health declined due to Parkinson's disease in his later years. He turned 75 in 2002, the mandatory retirement age for cardinals. Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi succeeded him as the Archbishop of Milan. During the Papal Conclave in 2005, Martini received more votes than Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI.

Carlo Maria Martini passed away on August 31, 2012, at the age of 85, due to Parkinson's disease. His funeral was held in Milan, attended by dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Monti. Martini had requested the words of Psalm 119, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," to be engraved on his tomb.