Cardinal Angelo Acerbi, retired diplomat of the Holy See and dean of the College of Cardinals by age, reached 100 years of life on this September 23, becoming the fourth cardinal in history to reach this age.
A life in service to the Church and Vatican diplomacy
Born in Sesta Godano (Italy) in 1925, Acerbi was ordained a priest in 1948 for the diocese of La Spezia. After completing studies in canon law and theology, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1954, with missions in Colombia, Brazil, Japan, France, and Portugal.
In 1974, Paul VI appointed him titular archbishop of Zella, pro-nuncio in New Zealand, and apostolic delegate in the Pacific Ocean. That same year, the Pope ordained him bishop in St. Peter’s Basilica, granting him the episcopal motto In fide et lenitate (“In faith and gentleness”).
The dramatic kidnapping in Colombia
In February 1980, while serving as nuncio in Colombia, Acerbi was kidnapped along with other diplomats by the communist guerrilla group of the April 19 Movement (M-19), following the assault on the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Bogotá.
During the six weeks of captivity, he was able to celebrate Holy Mass daily for the hostages, becoming a spiritual pillar until his release in Havana on April 28 of that same year. This experience deeply marked his ministry and personal life.
Rebuilding the Church in Hungary after communism
In 1990, St. John Paul II appointed him nuncio in Hungary, being the first to hold that position after the fall of the communist regime. From that mission, he promoted the reorganization of the local Church, the training of the clergy, and the signing of bilateral agreements between Budapest and the Holy See. He later served as nuncio in Moldova (1994-1997) and in the Netherlands (1997-2001).
After submitting his resignation in 2001, he continued serving the Church in the Roman Curia and as prelate of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a position he held until 2015.
Elevated to cardinal at 99 years old
In October 2024, Pope Francis surprised the world by creating him a cardinal at 99 years old, making him the oldest cardinal to receive the cardinal’s biretta. Although he cannot participate in a future conclave due to his age, his appointment was understood as a recognition of a lifetime of fidelity and diplomatic service on behalf of the Holy See.
Dean by age and example of fidelity
With his centenary, Angelo Acerbi consolidates himself as the oldest dean of the College of Cardinals. Only three cardinals reached this age before him, with the longest-lived being Cardinal Corrado Bafile, who died in 2005 at 101 years old.
Source: College of Cardinals / ACI Prensa.