Giovanni Cardinal Benelli
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Giovanni Benelli (May 12, 1921-October 26, 1982) was an Italian cardinal, one of many cardinals believed to be among the papabili, those considered especially electable to the Pontificate, at the two Papal conclaves of 1978.
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[edit] Biography
A native of Poggiole di Vernio, Tuscany, Benelli studied at the Seminary of Pistoia, at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and also at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome.
Benelli began his priestly career during World War II, when he was ordained in Rome on October 31, 1943. He conducted further studies here until 1947, and also undertook pastoral work in the Diocese of Rome until 1950.
His abilities were noticed by the Church, and he soon became attached to the Vatican Secretariat of State, and undertook a range of duties:
- Private secretary to Giovanni Battista Montini and also substitute of Secretariat of State from August 1, 1947
- Privy chamberlain supernumerary from July 16, 1950
- Secretary of nunciature in Ireland, 1950-1953
- Secretary of nunciature in France, 1953-1960
- Auditor of nunciature in Brazil, 1960-1962
- Domestic prelate, August 1, 1961
- Counsellor of nunciature in Spain, 1962-1965
- Permanent observer of Holy See before UNESCO, Paris, May 11, 1965-June 11, 1966.
[edit] Episcopate
At age 45, Benelli was elected titular archbishop of Tusuro and appointed Papal Nuncio to Senegal as well as apostolic delegate in Western Africa on June 11, 1966. He was consecrated on September 11, 1966 in Rome by Cardinal Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, bishop of title of the suburbicarian see of Frascati and the Cardinal Secretary of State.
Shortly after his appointment, on June 29, 1967 he joined the Roman Curia as sostituto (substitute of secretariat of State) and secretary of Cipher in the Secretariat of State. This was a powerful position in which he worked closely with Pope Paul VI. He served in this role for ten years.
[edit] Cardinalate
In 1977, Benelli was named Archbishop of Florence and became a cardinal in the small consistory held by Paul almost immediately thereafter, on June 27, 1977. He received the red biretta and the Titulus S. Priscae on this same day.
| Styles of Giovanni Benelli |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Florence |
Cardinal Benelli attended the "IV Ordinary Assembly of World Synod of Bishops" in Vatican City, which was held during September 30-October 29, 1977. Upon Paul's death on August 6, 1978, Benelli was considered the favorite to replace him.
Instead, the conclave held on August 25-August 26 elected Pope John Paul I. When a second conclave (October 14-16) convened following the new Pope's sudden death after a reign of only 33 days, Benelli was once again considered a favorite to succeed due to his close ties to Paul and his Italian heritage. Seen as a progressive Cardinal, he was favoured as a possible papal successor by those who advocated further reform within the Church. The position instead went to Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, who took the name Pope John Paul II. It has been maintained that Wojtyla was elected after a cluster of conservative cardinals narrowly obstructed Benelli from gaining the requisite number of votes to be elected Pope.
Despite this, Benelli continued in the capacity of Cardinal Archbishop of Florence. He attended the "I Plenary Assembly of Sacred College of Cardinals" in Vatican City on November 5-9, 1979 and also the "V Ordinary Assembly of World Synod of Bishops" in Vatican City on September 26-October 25, 1980.
Cardinal Benelli died of a sudden heart attack on October 26, 1982 in Florence. He was buried in the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence.
| Preceded by Ermenegildo Florit |
Archbishop of Florence 3 June 1977 - 26 October 1982 |
Succeeded by Silvano Piovanelli |
