Vatican: Cardinal Renato Martino, Champion of Social Doctrine, dies at 91

Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, the Champion of Social Doctrine passed away on the morning of October 28, in Rome at the age of 91.

He was known for his dedicated service to the Holy See. He served as Permanent Observer at the United Nations in New York for sixteen years before leading the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace as President Emeritus of both.

He was born in Salerno, Italy, on November 23, 1932. Cardinal Martino was ordained a priest on June 20, 1957, and later earned a degree in Canon Law.

In 1962, he began his diplomatic service with the Holy See, serving in Apostolic Nunciatures across Nicaragua, the Philippines, Lebanon, Canada, and Brazil.

From 1970 to 1975, he led the Section for International Organizations in the Secretariat of State.

In 1986, he was appointed Permanent Observer of the Holy See at the United Nations, where he actively participated in major international conferences.

In 2002, Pope John Paul II appointed him President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a position previously held by Cardinals Roger Etchegaray and François-Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân.

Early in his term, Cardinal Martino focused on international issues, including the crisis in Venezuela, the civil conflict in Ivory Coast, and the Middle East’s turmoil.

On October 21, 2003, John Paul II created him a cardinal. Under his leadership, the Council published the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church in 2004.

In March 2005, in collaboration with various Catholic universities, the Council organized an International Congress in the Vatican to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Gaudium et Spes, the Pastoral Constitution of the Second Vatican Council.

Since October 24, 2009, Cardinal Martino had held the title of President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and had received numerous honorary degrees and awards for his work in promoting peace, culture, and human dignity.

Cardinal Martino’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, October 30, at 3 p.m. at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgy will be celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, along with other cardinals, archbishops, and bishops. Following the liturgy, Pope Francis will lead the rites of Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio.

With Cardinal Martino's passing, the College of Cardinals now includes 233 members, with 121 electors and 112 non-electors.

With inputs from Vatican News