Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Name	Pietro Parolin
Honorific-prefix	His Eminence
Birth date	17 January 1955
Birth place	Schiavon, Veneto, Italy
Nationality	Italian
Religion	Catholic Church
Ordination	27 April 1980
Consecration	12 September 2009
Cardinalate	22 February 2014
Alma mater	Pontifical Gregorian University, Pontifical Lateran University
Previous post	Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela; Secretary for Relations with States

Cardinal Pietro Parolin

Pietro Parolin is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as Cardinal Secretary of State since 2013. A career diplomat of the Holy See, he previously held postings in Asia, Latin America, and the Roman Curia, and is recognized for his role in negotiations involving Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States–Cuba relations. Parolin's tenure intertwines engagement with international actors such as the United Nations, regional bodies like the European Union, and ecclesial institutions including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Early life and education

Born in Schiavon, Province of Vicenza, Veneto, Parolin studied at the minor seminary of Vicenza and the major seminary of the Diocese of Padua. He was ordained a priest in 1980 for the Diocese of Schio and earned degrees in canon law and dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Lateran University and the Pontifical Gregorian University. Early formation placed him under the influence of professors and mentors associated with institutions like the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and exposed him to networks linking the Vatican Secretariat of State with diplomatic missions to states such as China, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Diplomatic career

Parolin entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1986. His early postings included service at the Apostolic Nunciature in Nigeria, the Philippines, and the mission at Vietnam, engaging with episcopal conferences such as the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences and confronting issues connected to the Second Vatican Council's implementation. As counselor and later in senior roles, he dealt with bilateral relations involving nations like Brazil, Mexico, and Italy, and with multilateral actors such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations General Assembly. In 2009 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela by Pope Benedict XVI, a posting during which he mediated tensions involving President Hugo Chávez and the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference.

Secretariat of State

In 2013 Parolin was appointed Secretary for Relations with States and then named Cardinal Secretary of State by Pope Francis in 2013, succeeding Tarcisio Bertone. In this role he oversees the Holy See's diplomatic apparatus, engaging with states including the United States, China, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, and with international organizations such as the European Union, the United Nations, and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation. He played a central part in the thaw of United States–Cuba relations and the 2014–2015 negotiations that culminated in the restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and United States. Parolin has also been involved in dialogues over the Holy See–China agreement on bishoprics, relations with Venezuela amid political crisis, and mediation efforts related to conflicts in regions like the Middle East, including interlocution with actors in Syria and Iraq.

Cardinalate and roles in the Roman Curia

Created Cardinal in 2014 by Pope Francis, Parolin is a member of congregations and councils such as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Bishops, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He has participated in synods of bishops, consulted on the appointment of bishops in diverse dioceses such as Rome, Bogotá, and Hong Kong, and contributed to curial coordination with dicasteries including the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. As Secretary of State he convenes diplomatic initiatives, manages apostolic nuncios worldwide, and represents the Holy See in papal delegations to states like Mexico and institutions such as the Council of Europe.

Theological views and public positions

Parolin's theological outlook reflects formative studies in dogmatic theology and engagement with magisterial documents such as Humanae Vitae, Gaudium et spes, and Evangelii Gaudium. He has articulated positions on international law and human rights referencing instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations covenants, and on moral questions such as migration, poverty, and religious freedom in contexts including Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Parolin has defended approaches to diplomacy grounded in principles found in papal encyclicals such as Pacem in Terris and Laudato si', advocating dialogue with secular actors like the European Commission, economic actors including the World Bank, and faith communities such as World Council of Churches affiliates. In controversies over episcopal appointments and agreements with the People's Republic of China, he has emphasized the need for pastoral care, canonical regularization, and the protection of ecclesial communion.

Honors and personal life

Parolin has received state honors and ecclesiastical awards from countries and institutions including Spain, Poland, and the Order of Malta. He is fluent in languages used in diplomacy—Italian, English, and Spanish—and has lectured at pontifical institutions such as the Pontifical Lateran University and the Pontifical Gregorian University. Known for a discreet personal style, he maintains contacts with episcopal conferences like the Italian Episcopal Conference and civil authorities, balancing curial responsibilities with pastoral commitments to his native Region of Veneto.

Category:Cardinals of the Catholic Church Category:Italian Roman Catholic bishops Category:1955 births Category:Living people