{{Short description|Swiss Catholic cardinal and diplomat (1947–2026)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Cardinal | honorific-prefix = [[His Eminence]] | name = Emil Paul Tscherrig | honorific-suffix = | title = [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]]<br>[[Apostolic Nuncio]] | image = Emil Paul Tscherrig (cropped).jpg | alt = | caption = Tscherrig in 2019 | archdiocese = | see = | appointed = 4 May 1996 | retired = 11 March 2024 | predecessor = [[Adriano Bernardini]] as Nuncio to Italy | successor = [[Petar Rajič]] | other_post = Cardinal-Deacon of [[San Giuseppe in Via Trionfale]] (2023–2026) | previous_post = {{indented plainlist | * [[Titular Archbishop]] of [[Voli]] (1996–2023) * [[Apostolic Nuncio]] to [[Apostolic Nunciature to Burundi|Burundi]] (1996–2000) * [[Apostolic Nuncio]] to [[Apostolic Nunciature to Trinidad and Tobago|Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Dominica|Dominica]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Jamaica|Jamaica]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Guyana|Guyana]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Saint Lucia|Saint Lucia]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to the Bahamas|the Bahamas]] and [[Apostolic Delegate]] to the [[Apostolic Delegation to the Antilles|Antilles]] (2000–2004) * [[Apostolic Nuncio]] to [[Apostolic Nunciature to Antigua and Barbuda|Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Barbados|Barbados]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Saint Kitts and Nevis|Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Grenada|Grenada]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Suriname|Suriname]] and [[Apostolic Nunciature to Belize|Belize]] (2001–2004) * [[Apostolic Nuncio]] to [[Apostolic Nunciature to Korea|Korea]] and [[Apostolic Nunciature to Mongolia|Mongolia]] (2004–2008) * [[Apostolic Nuncio]] to [[Apostolic Nunciature to Sweden|Sweden]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Denmark|Denmark]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Finland|Finland]], [[Apostolic Nunciature to Iceland|Iceland]] and [[Apostolic Nunciature to Norway|Norway]] (2008–2012) * [[Apostolic Nuncio]] to [[Apostolic Nunciature to Argentina|Argentina]] (2012-2017) * [[Apostolic Nunciature to Italy|Apostolic Nuncio to Italy]] and [[Apostolic Nunciature to San Marino|San Marino]] (2017–2024) }} | ordination = 11 April 1974 | ordained_by = [[:de:François-Nestor Adam|François-Nestor Adam]] | consecration = 27 June 1996 | consecrated_by = [[Angelo Sodano]], [[Henri Schwery]] and [[Norbert Brunner (bishop)|Norbert Brunner]] |cardinal = 30 September 2023 |created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Francis]] | rank = Cardinal Deacon <!-- Personal details --> | birth_date = {{Birth date|1947|2|3|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Unterems]], Valais, Switzerland | death_date = {{Death date and age|2026|5|12|1947|2|3|df=y}} | death_place = [[Vatican City]] | nationality = [[Switzerland|Swiss]] | residence = | alma_mater = [[Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy]] | coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Emil Paul Tscherrig (cardinal).svg | motto = ''Spes mea Christus'' (Christ, my hope) }} {{Infobox cardinalstyles | name= Emil Paul Tscherrig | dipstyle= [[His Eminence]] | offstyle=[[Your Eminence]] | relstyle=[[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] | image = Coat of arms of Emil Paul Tscherrig (cardinal).svg | image_size = 200px }}
'''Emil Paul Tscherrig''' (3 February 1947 – 12 May 2026) was a Swiss [[prelate]] of the [[Catholic Church]] who spent his career in the diplomatic service of the [[Holy See]]. He became an archbishop in 1996 and held assignments as Apostolic Nuncio to several countries. He was nuncio to [[Apostolic Nunciature to Italy|Italy]] and [[Apostolic Nunciature to San Marino|San Marino]] when he retired from the diplomatic service in 2024.
Tscherrig served as the [[Titular Archbishop]] of [[Voli]] from 1996 to 2023. He was made a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] by [[Pope Francis]] on 30 September 2023 and served as a [[Cardinal electors in the 2025 conclave|cardinal elector]] in the [[2025 conclave]].
==Early life== Emil Paul Tscherrig was born in [[Unterems]] on 3 February 1947,<ref name=suisse/> the eldest of eight children in a family of mountain farmers.<ref name=obit2>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/cna/swiss-cardinal-emil-paul-tscherrig-dies-at-79-tf5f3zb2|title=Swiss Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig Dies at 79|publisher=National Catholic Register|accessdate=12 May 2026|date=12 May 2026}}</ref>
Tscherrig studied at the Collegium Brig from 1961 to 1968.<ref name=domradio>{{cite news|access-date=12 May 2026|url=https://www.domradio.de/person/emil-paul-tscherrig|language=de|title=Kardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig|agency=SNA Deutsch}}</ref> He struggled with his decision to become a priest, only deciding while performing his military service.<ref name=alateia>{{cite news|work=Alateia|access-date=12 May 2026|url=https://aleteia.org/2023/09/12/cardinal-designate-emil-paul-tscherrig-papal-nuncio-to-italy/|title=Cardinal-designate Emil Paul Tscherrig, papal nuncio to Italy|date=12 September 2023}}</ref> He studied philosophy and theology at the seminary in Sion and at the [[University of Freiburg]], earning a Licentiate in Catholic theology in 1974.<ref name=domradio/>
==Career== Tscherrig was ordained a priest on 11 April 1974 for the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Sion|Diocese of Sion]].<ref name=suisse/> While preparing for a diplomatic career with studies at the [[Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy]], he earned a doctorate in canon law at the [[Pontifical Gregorian University]] with a thesis on the concept of the ecumenical council since Trent.<ref name=domradio/>
On 4 May 1996, Pope John Paul II named him [[titular archbishop]] of [[Voli]]. He received his episcopal consecration from Cardinal [[Angelo Sodano]] on 27 June.<ref name=brun>{{cite news| url= https://www.lastampa.it/2017/09/12/vaticaninsider/el-suizo-emil-paul-tscherrig-nuevo-nuncio-en-italia-bkT4eTaPHflUzXvrs5UkxL/pagina.html | access-date= 3 May 2019 | title= El suizo Emil Paul Tscherrig, nuevo nuncio en Italia | date=12 September 2017 | language=es | work= La Stampa }}</ref>
===Diplomatic service=== He entered the diplomatic service of the [[Holy See]] on 1 April 1978.<ref name=domradio/> In addition to assignments as secretary in the nunciatures in Uganda and Bangladesh,<ref name=alateia/> he also worked in Rome in the [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]] from 1985 to 1996, assisting in preparations for [[Pope John Paul II]]'s international trips.<ref name=suisse>{{cite web| url= https://www.cath.ch/newsf/suisse-e-p-tscherrig-nouveau-nonce-italie-premiere-non-italien/ | access-date= 3 May 2019 | title= Le Suisse E. P. Tscherrig nouveau nonce en Italie: pour la première fois un non-Italien | date=12 September 2017 | language=fr | website=Cath.ch }}</ref><ref name=first/> In 1996, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi.<ref name=brun/>
On 8 July 2000, John Paul named him Delegate to the Antilles and Nuncio to Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Bahamas.<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | access-date= 3 May 2019 | date= 8 July 2000 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2000/07/08/0433/01564.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 08.07.2000}}</ref> On 20 January 2001, John Paul named him Nuncio to Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and Suriname as well.<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= 3 May 2019 | date= 20 January 2001 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2001/01/20/0044/00122.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 20.01.2001}}</ref> On 1 June 2001, he was made Nuncio to Saint Kitts and Nevis as well.<ref>{{cite book | access-date = 8 December 2019 | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis |pages = 562 | date= 2001 | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-93-2001-ocr.pdf | volume = XCIII }}</ref>
On 22 May 2004, he was named Nuncio to Korea<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= 3 May 2019 | date= 22 May 2004 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2004/05/22/0253/00823.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 22.05.2004}}</ref> and on 17 June Nuncio to Mongolia as well.<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= 3 May 2019 | date= 17 June 2004 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2004/06/17/0304/01001.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 17.06.2004|language=it}}</ref>
On 26 January 2008, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] named him Nuncio to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway.<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= 3 May 2019 | date= 26 January 2008 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2008/01/26/0056/00131.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 26.01.2008|language=it}}</ref>
On 5 January 2012 he was named Nuncio to Argentina.<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= 3 May 2019 | date= 5 January 2012 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2012/01/05/0007/00019.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 05.01.2012|language=it}}</ref> On the night of his election to the papacy, Pope Francis called Tscherrig to ask him to inform the Argentine Catholic hierarchy and community that they could miss his investiture as Bishop of Rome and instead perform an act of charity with the money they would have spent.<ref>{{cite news| access-date= 3 May 2019 | date=15 March 2013 | work= Catholic Herald | title= Pope Francis's second full day in office – live updates | url= https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/03/15/pope-franciss-second-full-day-in-office-live-updates/ }}</ref>
In 2016, [[Pope Francis]] sent Tscherrig to [[Venezuela]] to initiate dialogue between the Vatican and the government of [[Nicolas Maduro]]. In October 2016, Francis would privately meet with Maduro which led to Maduro agreeing to meet with opposition leaders in Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-meets-with-pope-francis-as-vatican-agrees-to-mediate-political-standoff|title=Venezuela's Maduro meets with Pope Francis as Vatican agrees to mediate political standoff|date=25 October 2016|accessdate=12 May 2026|publisher=[[Fox News]]}}</ref>
On 12 September 2017, Pope Francis named him Nuncio to Italy and San Marino.<ref>{{cite press release| publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= 3 May 2019 | date= 12 September 2017 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2017/09/12/0589/01290.html |title= Rinunce e Nomine, 12.09.2017|language=it}}</ref> He was the first non-Italian ever to hold the position of Apostolic Nuncio to Italy.<ref name=first>{{cite news | work= Crux | access-date= 3 May 2019 | url= https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/09/13/first-time-papal-nuncio-italy-not-italian/ | title= For the first time, the papal nuncio to Italy is not Italian | date= 13 September 2017 | first= Andrea | last= Gagliarducci | agency= Catholic News Agency | archive-date= 1 April 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190401023842/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2017/09/13/first-time-papal-nuncio-italy-not-italian/ | url-status= dead }}</ref> He was charged with helping plan for the merger of [[diocese]]s in Italy, and he took on a greater public role than is traditional for nuncios.<ref name=alateia/>
Pope Francis accepted his resignation as nuncio to Italy and San Marino on 11 March 2024.<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 11 March 2024 | date = 11 March 2024 | publisher = Holy See PreA Office |url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/03/11/240311b.html | title = Resignations and Appointments, 11.03.2024 }}</ref> During his diplomatic service, he was considered to be an influential figure in foreign policy within the Vatican.<ref name=obit/>
===Cardinalate=== On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced he plans to make him a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September.<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 9 July 2023| publisher = Holy See Press Office | language = it | title = Le parole del Papa alla recita dell'Angelus, 09.07.2023 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/07/09/0502/01116.html }}</ref> At that consistory he was made Cardinal-Deacon of [[San Giuseppe al Trionfale]].<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 1 October 2023 | date = 30 September 2023 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/09/30/230930b.html | title = Assignation of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals, 30.09.2023 | publisher = Holy See Press Office}}</ref>
Francis had also appointed him to several Curial positions: member of the Supreme Tribunal of the [[Apostolic Signatura]] on 4 October 2023;<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Holy See Press Office|access-date=12 May 2026|date=4 October 2023|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/10/04/231004b.html|title=Resignations and Appointments, 04.10.2023}}</ref> member of the [[Dicastery for the Causes of Saints]] on 17 February 2024;<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Holy See Press Office|access-date=12 May 2026|date=17 February 2024|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/02/17/240217c.html|title=Resignations and Appointments, 17.02.2024}}</ref> and member of the [[Dicastery for Evangelization]] and of the [[Dicastery for Bishops]] on 18 May 2024.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Holy See Press Office|access-date=12 May 2026|date=18 May 2024|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/05/18/240518a.html|title=Resignations and Appointments, 18.05.2024}}</ref> Francis named him to the Commission of Cardinals that oversees the work of the [[Institute for the Works of Religion]] (Vatican Bank) on 28 October 2024.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=12 May 2026|url=https://cath.ch/newsf/le-cardinal-tscherrig-dans-le-conseil-de-direction-de-la-banque-du-vatican/|language=fr|title=Le cardinal Tscherrig dans le conseil de direction de la 'banque du Vatican'|website=cath.ch|date=28 October 2024}}</ref> He supported efforts to increase lay participation in Church governance and the Synodal process.<ref name=obit>{{cite news | url= https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kardinal-emil-paul-tscherrig-aus-wallis-gestorben-208131659411 | title= Schweizer Kardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig ist tot | work= Tages-Anzeiger | date= 12 May 2026 | language= de | access-date= 12 May 2026 }}</ref>
Tscherrig participated as a [[Cardinal electors in the 2025 conclave|cardinal elector]] in the [[2025 conclave]] that elected [[Pope Leo XIV]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_tscherrig_ep.html |title=Tscherrig Card. Emil Paul |publisher=[[Holy See Press Office]] |language=en |access-date=30 September 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001030454/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_tscherrig_ep.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Death== Tscherrig died on 12 May 2026, at the age of 79,<ref name=obit/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-05/pope-leo-xiv-mourns-cardinal-paul-emil-tscherrig.html|title=Pope Leo remembers Cardinal Tscherrig and his great love for the Church|publisher=Vatican News|date=12 May 2026|accessdate=12 May 2026}}</ref> in his residence at the [[Domus Sanctae Marthae]] in [[Vatican City]].<ref>{{cite news|access-date=14 May 2026|url=https://lanuovabq.it/it/muore-il-cardinale-tscherrig-venerdi-le-esequie-in-san-pietro|date=13 May 2026|language=it|title=Muore il cardinale Tscherrig, venerdì le esequie in San Pietro|work=La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana}}</ref> Pope Leo XIV presided over his funeral.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leo XIV’s First Funeral as Pope: The Farewell to Cardinal Tscherrig - Silere Non Possum |url=https://www.silerenonpossum.com/en/leo-xivs-first-funeral-as-pope-the-farewell-to-cardinal-tscherrig/ |access-date=15 May 2026 |website=www.silerenonpossum.com |language=en}}</ref> Tscherrig's final public appearance was on 6 May during the swearing-in of new members of the [[Pontifical Swiss Guard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/de-ch/nachrichten/other/eben-war-er-noch-an-der-vereidigung-der-gardisten-schweizer-kardinal-emil-paul-tscherrig-79-ist-tot/ar-AA23035i?ocid=BingNewsVerp|title=Eben war er noch an der Vereidigung der Gardisten: Schweizer Kardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig (†79) ist tot|publisher=MSN|date=12 May 2026|accessdate=12 May 2026|language=de}}</ref>
==See also== * [[Cardinals created by Francis]] * [[List of heads of the diplomatic missions of the Holy See]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}} {{Commons category}} * [https://www.ilmattino.it/en/from_swiss_valleys_to_vatican_diplomacy-8801365.html From Swiss Valleys to Vatican Diplomacy, ''Il Mattino'', 28 April 2025]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20260512142640/https://www.ilmattino.it/en/from_swiss_valleys_to_vatican_diplomacy-8801365.html Archived] from the original on 12 May 2026. Extensive comments on his relationship with Pope Francis * [https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_tscherrig_ep.html Tscherrig Card. Emil Paul]. [[Holy See Press Office]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20231001030454/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_tscherrig_ep.html Archived] from the original on 1 October 2023 * [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btsce.html Emil Paul Cardinal Tscherrig] at ''[[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]]''{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=May 2026}}
{{Cardinals created by Francis}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Catholic Church|Switzerland}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tscherrig, Emil Paul}} [[Category:1947 births]] [[Category:2026 deaths]] [[Category:21st-century cardinals]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Antigua and Barbuda]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Argentina]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Barbados]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Burundi]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Denmark]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Dominica]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Finland]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Grenada]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Guyana]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Iceland]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Italy]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Jamaica]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Mongolia]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Norway]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Saint Kitts and Nevis]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Saint Lucia]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to South Korea]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Suriname]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Sweden]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to the Bahamas]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Trinidad and Tobago]] [[Category:Bishops appointed by Pope John Paul II]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Francis]] [[Category:Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy alumni]] [[Category:Swiss cardinals]] [[Category:Swiss Roman Catholic bishops]]