# Angelo Acerbi

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Catholic archbishop (born 1925)

His Eminence Angelo Acerbi Cardinal, Apostolic Nuncio Acerbi in 2010 Appointed 22 June 1974 Retired 27 February 2001 Other post Cardinal-Deacon of Santi Angeli Custodi a Città Giardino (2024–) Previous posts Titular Archbishop of Zella (1974–2024) Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to New Zealand and Apostolic Delegate to the Pacific Ocean (1974–1979) Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Fiji (1979) Apostolic Nuncio to Colombia (1979–1990) Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary and Moldova (1990–1997) Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands (1997–2001) Prelate of the Military Order of Malta (2001–2015) Orders Ordination 27 March 1948 Consecration 30 June 1974 by Pope Paul VI, Giovanni Benelli and Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy Created cardinal 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis Rank Cardinal deacon Personal details Born (1925-09-23) 23 September 1925 (age 100) Sesta Godano, Kingdom of Italy Motto Fide Et Lenitate Coat of arms

Styles of Angelo Acerbi Reference style His Eminence Spoken style Your Eminence Religious style Cardinal Informal style Cardinal

**Angelo Acerbi** (born 23 September 1925) is an Italian prelate of the [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church), who has been an archbishop since 1974 and a cardinal since 2024. He served in the diplomatic service of the Holy See as the [Apostolic Nuncio](/source/Apostolic_Nuncio) to New Zealand, [the Netherlands](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_the_Netherlands), [Colombia](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_Colombia), Hungary, and Moldova, and as prelate of the [Sovereign Military Order of Malta](/source/Sovereign_Military_Order_of_Malta). He is currently the oldest cardinal.

## Biography

### Early years

Angelo Acerbi was born in [Sesta Godano](/source/Sesta_Godano) on 23 September 1925. On 27 March 1948, he was [ordained](/source/Ordination) a priest for the [Diocese of La Spezia](/source/Diocese_of_La_Spezia-Sarzana-Brugnato).[1]

After earning a degree in [canon law](/source/Canon_law), he obtained his licence in theology. Having completed the course of study at the [Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy](/source/Pontifical_Ecclesiastical_Academy) in 1954,[2] he entered the diplomatic service of the [Holy See](/source/Holy_See).

### Diplomatic career

He worked in the nunciatures in [Colombia](/source/Colombia), [Brazil](/source/Brazil), [Japan](/source/Japan) and [France](/source/France), as well as in the International Relations Department of the Holy See's [Secretariat of State](/source/Secretariat_of_State_(Holy_See)).[1] In March 1974, he was sent on a mission to Spain to ease church–state tensions over a sermon circulated by Bishop [Antonio Añoveros Ataún](/source/Antonio_A%C3%B1overos_Ata%C3%BAn) of Bilbao advocating greater freedom for Spain's Basques.[3]

On 22 June 1974, [Pope Paul VI](/source/Pope_Paul_VI) appointed him [Archbishop of Zella](/source/Zella_(see)) in [Tunisia](/source/Tunisia), and [apostolic pronuncio](/source/Apostolic_nuncio) to [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) and [apostolic delegate to the Pacific Ocean](/source/Apostolic_Delegation_to_the_Pacific_Ocean).[4] He received episcopal consecration on 30 June from Pope Paul; the co-consecrators were archbishops Giovanni Benelli, deputy for the General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, and Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] On 6 February 1979, he was named Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to [Fiji](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_Fiji) as well.[5]

On 14 August 1979 [Pope John Paul II](/source/Pope_John_Paul_II) appointed him apostolic nuncio to Colombia.[6] On 27 February 1980, Acerbi was taken hostage along with more than a dozen other diplomats and more than forty others, when communist guerillas belonging to the [19th of April Movement](/source/19th_of_April_Movement) assaulted the embassy of the Dominican Republic in Bogota. He was one of the last released in Havana on 28 April.[7] Acerbi was allowed to celebrate Mass daily in captivity.[8]

On 28 March 1990, he was transferred to [Hungary](/source/Hungary),[9] the first apostolic nuncio to be named after the establishment of communism in that country. During Acerbi's diplomatic assignment in Hungary, the Holy See concluded an agreement with the Republic of Hungary on religious assistance to the Armed Forces and the Border Police[10] and prepared another relating to the financing of public and other purely religious activities carried out by the Catholic Church in Hungary, in particular the financing of educational activities, which was signed shortly after the end of Acerbi's tenure in Hungary.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] On 13 January 1994 he was also appointed Apostolic Nuncio in [Moldova](/source/Moldova).[11] On 8 February 1997 he was transferred to the nunciature in the Netherlands.[12] On 27 February 2001, [Pope John Paul II](/source/Pope_John_Paul_II) named [François Bacqué](/source/Fran%C3%A7ois_Bacqu%C3%A9) to succeed him in that position, ending his career as an active nuncio.[13]

### Later years

On 2 June 2001, Pope John Paul II named Acerbi to two curial positions, member of the [Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples](/source/Congregation_for_the_Evangelization_of_Peoples) and member of the council of cardinals and bishops for the [Section for Relations with States](/source/Secretariat_of_State_(Holy_See)#Section_for_Relations_with_States) of the Secretariat of State.[14] On 4 April 2002, the pope added membership in the [Congregation for Bishops](/source/Dicastery_for_Bishops).[15]

On 21 June 2001, he was appointed prelate of the [Sovereign Military Order of Malta](/source/Sovereign_Military_Order_of_Malta), tasked with overseeing the priestly life of its chaplains and assisting the Order's leaders in promoting the religious observance of its members. On 21 January 2006, Acerbi denounced comments published in the Italian weekly *Panorama* a month earlier,[16] that said that Acerbi was leading a faction of young adherents of the Order dissatisfied with its failure to emphasize its Christian identity.[17] On 4 July 2015, [Pope Francis](/source/Pope_Francis) appointed a new prelate, Monsignor [Jean Laffitte](/source/Jean_Laffitte).[18]

Acerbi was scheduled to lead a spiritual meditation during the triennial gathering of the Holy See's diplomats in September 2022.[19]

On 7 December 2024, as announced in October,[20] Pope Francis made Acerbi a cardinal, creating him Cardinal-Deacon of [Santi Angeli Custodi a Città Giardino](/source/Santi_Angeli_Custodi_a_Citt%C3%A0_Giardino).[21] He was 99 years old and became the oldest living cardinal, surpassing [Estanislao Esteban Karlic](/source/Estanislao_Esteban_Karlic).[22] He was estimated to be "likely the oldest man ever to be named a cardinal".[23]

Acerbi [turned 100](/source/Centenarian) in 2025.[24]

## See also

- [List of heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See](/source/List_of_heads_of_the_diplomatic_missions_of_the_Holy_See)

- [Cardinals created by Francis](/source/Cardinals_created_by_Francis)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-malta_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-malta_1-1) ["Appointment of the new prelate of the Order of Malta, he Rt. Rev. Mgr. Angelo Acerbi"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190702005951/https://www.orderofmalta.int/2001/06/26/appointment-new-prelate-order-malta-rt-rev-mgr-angelo-acerbi/). *Order of Malta* (Press release). 26 June 2001. Archived from [the original](https://www.orderofmalta.int/2001/06/26/appointment-new-prelate-order-malta-rt-rev-mgr-angelo-acerbi/) on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Pontificia Accademia Ecclesiastica"](https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_academies/acdeccles/documents/1950-1999.htm) (in Italian). Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Retrieved 28 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Vatican Sends Aide to Spain in Dispute"](https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/12/archives/vatican-sends-aide-to-spain-in-dispute.html). *New York Times*. 12 March 1974. Retrieved 7 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-66-1974-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXVI. 1974. pp. 365, 459. Retrieved 14 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-71-1979-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXI. 1979. p. 385. Retrieved 11 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-71-1979-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXI. 1979. p. 1056. Retrieved 11 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Krause, Charles A. (28 April 1980). ["Columbian Guerrillas Fly to Cuba, Free 16 Hostage Diplomats"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/04/28/columbian-guerrillas-fly-to-cuba-free-16-hostage-diplomats/ec3808f4-5a64-47cf-bcae-6f386a8970bb/). *Washington Post*. Retrieved 7 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Diplomacy's Dark Hours"](https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,950386-2,00.html). *Time*. 17 March 1980.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Intervento del Segretario per i Rapporti con gli Stati ..."](http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/06/12/0459/01012.html) (in Italian). 12 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-iuscangreg_10-0)** ["Accordi bilaterali vigenti della Santa Sede"](https://www.iuscangreg.it/accordi_santa_sede.php). *iuscangreg.it*. Retrieved 13 August 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-86-1994-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXXVI. 1994. p. 207. Retrieved 15 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-89-1997-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXXIX. 1997. p. 207. Retrieved 11 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Rinunce e Nomine, 27.02.2001"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2001/02/27/0130/00336.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 27 February 2001. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Rinunce e Nomine, 02.06.2001"](http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2001/06/02/0323/00924.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 2 June 2001. Retrieved 2 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Rinunce e Nomine, 04.04.2002"](http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2002/04/04/0174/00525.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 4 April 2002. Retrieved 2 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Unfounded Comments"](http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-01-22/letters/unfounded-comments-86312/). *The Malta Independent*. 22 January 2006. Retrieved 14 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Italian Magazine claims there is much 'disorder' in the Order"](http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-01-08/news/italian-magazine-claims-there-is-much-disorder-in-the-order-85731/). *The Malta Independent*. 8 January 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Rinunce e Nomine, 04.07.2015"](http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/07/04/0534/01161.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-meditation_19-0)** ["Incontro triennale dei Rappresentanti Pontifici, 06.09.2022"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/09/06/0653/01319.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022. una meditazione spirituale guidata da Sua Eccellenza Mons Angelo Acerbi, Nunzio Apostolico

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Annuncio di Concistoro l'8 dicembre per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 06.10.2024"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/06/0774/01532.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Concistoro Ordinario Pubblico: Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali, 07.12.2024"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/12/07/0975/01948.html) (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Rytel-Andrianik, Fr. Paweł (7 October 2024). ["Cardinal-elect Acerbi: My appointment a recognition for all diplomats"](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/cardinal-elect-acerbi-appointment-diplomats.html). Vatican News. Retrieved 8 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Allen, Elise Ann (6 October 2024). ["Pope gives nods to peripheries and pals in naming 21 new cardinals"](https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2024/10/pope-gives-nods-to-peripheries-and-pals-in-naming-21-new-cardinals). *Crux*. Retrieved 6 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Diplomat, hostage, cardinal: Angelo Acerbi, 100 years at the service of the Church"](https://fr.aleteia.org/2025/09/22/diplomate-otage-cardinal-angelo-acerbi-100-ans-au-service-de-leglise/). *aleteia.org*. Aleteia SAS. Retrieved 23 September 2025.

Catholic Church titles Preceded by Cesare Zacchi — TITULAR — Titular Archbishop of Zella 22 June 1974 – 7 December 2024 Succeeded by Samuele Sangalli Records Preceded by Estanislao Esteban Karlic Oldest living cardinal 7 Dec 2024 – present Incumbent

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Angelo Acerbi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Acerbi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Acerbi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.