Giovanni Benelli

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Substitute for General Affairs (1967–77)
MottoVirtus Ex Alto
("Power From on High")
Coat of armsGiovanni Benelli's coat of arms
Styles of
Giovanni Benelli
His Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeFlorence

Giovanni Benelli (12 May 1921 – 26 October 1982) was an Italian

Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Florence
from 1977 until his death. He was made a cardinal in 1977.

Biography

Early life and ordination

Giovanni Benelli was born 12 May 1921 in Poggiole di

priest on 31 October 1943 by Bishop Giuseppe Debernardi.[1] At age 22, he had not yet reached the canonical age of 24 for priestly ordination, and therefore was given a special dispensation. Benelli finished his studies at the Gregorian in 1947, and also undertook pastoral
work in Rome until 1950.

Roman Curia

His abilities were noticed by the Church, becoming

Ireland (1950–1953) and to France (1953–1960). Benelli was then appointed to the following posts: auditor of nunciature to Brazil (1960–1962), counsellor of nunciature to Spain (1962–1965), and permanent observer of Holy See to UNESCO
in Paris (1965–1966).

Archbishop

On 11 June 1966, he was appointed

episcopal consecration on the following 11 September from Cardinal Secretary of State Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Archbishop Pietro Sigismondi and Bishop Mario Longo Dorni serving as co-consecrators. These assignments gave him a deep interest in the battle against illiteracy and the Church's work for peace and economic development.[1]

Within a year, on 29 June 1967, he entered the

Secretariat of State. As Cicognani was too old to fulfil most of his duties, they fell to Benelli. He worked closely with his former master, now Pope Paul VI
, and remained in this post for ten years.

Some referred to him as "the Berlin Wall"[2] and the "Vatican Kissinger"[3] in the Vatican for his aggressive and almost authoritarian tenure as Substitute of the Secretariat of State, including having the more senior Curialists channel business through him.

Benelli was promoted to

Santa Prisca by Paul VI in the consistory
of 27 June 1977.

Papabile

Upon the deaths of Popes Paul VI and

October 1978. During the August conclave, Benelli supported Albino Luciani, the eventual winner, who became Pope John Paul I.[4][5] In the October conclave in 1978, he was one of two leading Italian candidates in a tie with Giuseppe Siri to succeed John Paul I, but was defeated with fellow Italian candidate, Siri, on 16 October by Karol Wojtyla, who became Pope John Paul II
.

Later life and death

Benelli continued in his capacity of Cardinal and Archbishop of Florence until 26 October 1982 when he died of a sudden heart attack in

Santa Maria del Fiore
cathedral.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Saxon, Wolfgang. "Giovanni Cardinal Benelli Dead", The New York Times, 27 October 1982
  2. ^ "The Pope's Powerful No. 2". Time. 14 March 1969. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008.
  3. ^ "Recent Events". Time. 8 November 1982. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008.
  4. ^ "In Rome, a Week off Suspense". Time. 28 August 1978. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008.
  5. ^ "A Swift, Stunning Choice". Time. 4 September 1978. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.

Bibliography

(1976) Pancorbo, Luis: "Monseñor Benelli" en "Diálogos italianos". pp. 343–353. Sedmay, Madrid.

ISBN 84-7380-124-5
(in Spanish)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Giovanni Benelli.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Substitute for General Affairs

29 June 1967 – 3 June 1977 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Florence
3 June 1977 – 26 October 1982 		Succeeded by
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