Fortunato Baldelli

Career

After finishing his primary education, in 1947 he entered the Seminary of Assisi, where he finished his secondary education; at the death of his parents, he was able to continue his formation because of the help of his brothers and the assistance of Bishop Placido Nicolini of Assisi. In 1957, Bishop Nicolini sent him to the Major Roman Seminary; he attended the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, and obtained a licentiate in theology. Sent by his bishop, he studied at the elite Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, from 1964 to 1966 where he studied diplomacy. He went on to obtain a doctorate in canon law. Besides his native Italian, he speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese.

Baldelli was ordained priest for the Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino on 18 March 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he was vice-rector of the Minor Seminary of Assisi. Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1966. Addetto in the nunciature in Cuba, 1966–1967; secretary, 1967–1970. Secretary in the United Arab Republic (Egypt), 1970–1974. In 1974, he returned to the Secretariat of State; and later, he was transferred to the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church. In 1979, he was named special envoy with functions of permanent observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

On 12 February 1983, Pope John Paul II appointed him Titular Archbishop of Mevania, and sent as apostolic delegate in Angola. In 1985 he was appointed Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in São Tomé and Príncipe, and in 1991 the Apostolic Nuncio in the Dominican Republic and then Peru in 1994.

He was appointed apostolic nuncio in France on 19 June 1999, succeeding Archbishop Mario Tagliaferri, who died unexpectedly on 21 May. He served as Apostolic Nuncio in France from 1999 until his appointment as Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary on 2 June 2009 by Pope Benedict. As such he deals with the forgiveness of the most grievous sins as well as indulgences. In addition to his duties as Major Penitentiary, he was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 24 July 2010 for the usual five-year period. In addition to Italian, Cardinal Baldelli speaks French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Cardinal Baldelli was present at the coronation of Albert II, Prince of Monaco as non-resident Apostolic Nuncio to Monaco, and read a letter of good wishes and blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.

On 20 October 2010 Pope Benedict announced that he would be among the list of new cardinals to be created in a consistory on 20 November. He was created Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino.

In December 2010 Cardinal Baldelli was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On 29 January 2011 Cardinal Baldelli was appointed a member of Secretariat of State (second section).

He retired from his post on 5 January 2012 with the appointment of Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro as his successor.

Death

Cardinal Baldelli died on Thursday night, 20 September 2012, at Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, where he resided during the last years of his life. In a papal telegram of condolence and prayers upon Cardinal Baldelli's death, sent to Cardinal Baldelli's brother, Piero Baldelli, by Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Baldelli was praised for his "...exemplary testimony of Christian life..." and his "...diligent and loyal service to the Holy See..." The telegram did not state or allude to a cause of death. Cardinal Baldelli's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, 22 September 2012, at 6:00 pm, at The Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter's Basilica by the Cardinal Secretary of State Emeritus, Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals and Cardinal-Bishop of Albano and Ostia, together with other Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops.