Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a prominent figure within the Vatican, has dedicated over five decades to service in the Roman Curia. Born in Brescia, Italy. Now at 91 years of age, he is as fruitful as ever playing a vital role in the Catholic Church. His journey began in 1963 when he joined the Roman Curia, marking the start of a remarkable career that has influenced the global Catholic community.
Re’s early years were spent teaching at the Brescia seminary before he transitioned into the Holy See’s diplomatic service. During his time there he launched missions to Panama and Iran. Not surprisingly, this profound experience opened up tremendously his thought and action about the international church-related affairs. He was ordained for the Diocese of Brescia in 1957. His scholarship is reflected by a doctorate in canon law from Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University, the cradle of the Church’s theologians and their teachings.
Key Roles and Contributions
Cardinal Re’s political clout inside the Vatican reached a peak in the year 2000. That year, Pope John Paul II fully recognized his leadership and appointed him the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In this clerical position, he exercised enormous influence on appointing bishops around the world. His formidable personality and imagination guided the future leadership of the Church.
For more than ten years, he served in the managerial day-to-day administration of the Holy See. Before entering the diplomatic corps, he was Substitute for General Affairs of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State. His leadership during this time was critical to managing the Vatican’s administrative functions and supporting the Pope’s mission.
Cardinal Re participated in two pivotal conclaves: the one in April 2005 that elected Pope Benedict XVI and another in March 2013 that resulted in the election of Pope Francis. His active role in these momentous occasions serves to illustrate his great status within the Church, both here and abroad.
“Thank the Lord for the gifts he gave to the whole church through the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis.” – Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re
Continuing Legacy
In 2020, Re was elevated to dean of the College of Cardinals. Earlier this year, Pope Francis renewed the five year term of his appointment. In this capacity, he is at the head of the Church’s pyramidal hierarchy. This role allows him to keep shaping policies that affect Catholics worldwide.
Cardinal Re, notwithstanding his age, is still sustaining a demanding activity within the Vatican, where he stresses that prayer constitutes the core of the ministerial activity. In recent days, Pope Francis himself has requested prayers for the aged Cardinal Re, as he strives to remain in service.
“Do not forget to pray for me.” – Pope Francis
Re often describes himself as “a pilgrim of hope.” He highlights his personal commitment to spiritual development and discernment in carrying out his responsibilities. He knows the inside of church life very well, is a man of deep service and devotion. This combination of qualities makes him an irreplaceable treasure to Pope Francis and the universal Catholic church.
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