Sergio Pignedoli

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Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela (1954–55)
  • Auxiliary Bishop of Milan (1955–64)
  • Apostolic Delegate to Central Western Africa (1960–64)
  • Apostolic Delegate to Canada (1964–67)
  • Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (1967–73)
    • Alma mater
    MottoVirtus ex alto
    Coat of armsSergio Pignedoli's coat of arms
    Sergio Pignedoli pictured in 1978.

    Sergio Pignedoli (4 June 1910 – 15 June 1980) was a prominent

    cardinalate
    in 1973.

    In his capacity of cardinal, Pignedoli was one of the

    October 1978, which selected Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II respectively. He was considered by many as a papabile in both of those conclaves.[1][2]

    Biography

    Early life and priestly ministry

    Born in Felina di

    Holy Year, on which he commented, "This year's great discovery is that in a world apparently skeptical and indifferent, there's a vigorous current of faith".[3]

    Episcopal ministry

    On 22 December 1950, he was appointed

    episcopal consecration on 11 February 1951 from Cardinal Adeodato Giovanni Piazza, OCD, with Archbishop Valerio Valeri and Bishop Beniamino Socche serving as co-consecrators, in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. After serving as Nuncio to Bolivia for four years, he was named Nuncio to Venezuela on 19 October 1954. On 15 April 1955, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Milan, where he remained until 23 September 1960; during his time in Milan, Pignedoli established a deep friendship with Giovanni Battista Montini that continued into the latter's rise to the papacy. From 1960 until 1967, he held the positions of Apostolic Delegate to Western and Central Africa (1960-1964) and to Canada (1964-1967). Pignedoli also attended the Second Vatican Council
    (1962-1965).

    Secretariat for Non-Christians (later renamed the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue by Pope John Paul II
    on 28 June 1988).

    On 24 May 1974, before his trip to West Africa, Cardinal Pignedoli joined by Monsignor Verrazano, met with A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Together they had an hour-long dialogue about social analysis and outreach ministry.[4] That same year, he wrote a letter to Benedictine Abbot Primate Rembert Weakland, in which he asked the monastic orders to take up a leading role in interreligious dialogue as the presence of monasticism in various religions provided an important bridge for this dialogue. This was the impetus for the later creation of the DIMMID (Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique - Monastic Interreligious Dialogue).[5]

    Pignedoli also established close friendships with

    Tendai Buddhism
    and one of the most prominent Japanese Buddhists of the 20th century, who played a leading role in promoting mutual respect and reconciliation among three monotheistic religions from an Asian side.

    A towering figure in the Roman Catholic Church, cardinal Sergio Pignedoli was Pope Paul VI closest ally and confidant, and was widely expected to succeed him. Following the death of Paul VI in 1978, Pignedoli was the leading contender to be elected pope. He was featured in numerous publications around the world, including on the covers of

    August 1978 conclave, Pignedoli, the progressive candidate, received nearly half of the votes of the cardinal electors. His main opponent was the conservative cardinal Giuseppe Siri of Genova, though since both of these legendary cardinals were unable to obtain a majority, a compromise candidate emerged, and Albino Luciani was elected as Pope John Paul I. Thirty three days later, following the sudden death of John Paul I, a second conclave convened in October 1978
    . Pignedoli was again the leading contender for the papacy, but ultimately Karol Józef Wojtyła of Poland was elected as Pope John Paul II.

    Pignedoli died from a pulmonary embolism during a visit to his native Reggio Emilia, at age 70.[6]

    Trivia

    See also

    References

    1. ^ Time Magazine. After Paul: The Leading Contenders 21 August 1978
    2. ^ Time Magazine. A "Foreign" Pope 30 October 1978
    3. ^ Time Magazine. End of the Year 1 January 1951
    4. ^ "Audio and Transcript of Room Conversation with Catholic Cardinal May 24, 1974, Rome". prabhupadavani.org. Prabhupada Vani. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
    5. ^ "DIMMID". dimmid.org. Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique / Monastic Interreligious Dialogue. p. en. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
    6. ^ Time Magazine. Recent Events 30 June 1980
    7. ^ Time Magazine. How Pope John Paul I Won 11 September 1978
    8. ^ The Star-Ledger. Special Projects 13 May 2001

    External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sergio Pignedoli.
    Catholic Church titles
    Preceded by
    President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

    6 March 1973 – 15 June 1980     		Succeeded by
    Preceded by Cardinal Protodeacon
    30 June 1979 – 15 June 1980     		Succeeded by
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