State Secretary of the Holy See

Born: 23 november 1927 in Asti (Piemont, Italy)

Education: Asti Seminary; PhD in Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University; PhD in Canon Law, Pontifical Lateran University.

Professional Activity:

1950 Ordained as Priest; Teacher of dogmatic theology in diocesan seminaries;

1959 Joined the Holy See's Diplomatic Corps.Secretary of the Nunciature in Ecuador, Uruguay and Chile Gained the Mgr title;

1963 Appointed as Chaplain of His Holiness;

1968 Official of the Council of Public Church Affairs of Roman Curia;

1977 Archbishop of Nova di Cesare. Appointed as Nuncio in Chile;

1988 Secretary of the Council of Public Church Affairs;

1990 Acting State Secretary;

29.06.1991 - 15.09.2006 State Secretary;

From April 2005 Dean of the College ofCardinals.