Pope Francis on November 29, 2017, expressed his condolences for the death on November 19, 2017, of Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, of the Title of Santa Maria in Portico, archpriest emeritus of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls. The Holy Father’s sentiments came in a telegram to the late cardinal’s sister, Marquise Adriana Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo.
Telegram of the Holy Father
MARQUISE ADRIANA CORDERO LANZA DI MONTEZEMOLO
THE DEPARTURE OF YOUR DEAR BROTHER, THE VENERABLE CARDINAL ANDREA CORDERO LANZA DI MONTEZEMOLO, INSPIRES IN MY HEART SENTIMENTS OF SINCERE ADMIRATION FOR A REVERED MAN OF THE CHURCH, WHO LIVED WITH FIDELITY HIS LONG AND FRUITFUL PRIESTHOOD AND EPISCOPATE IN THE SERVICE OF THE GOSPEL AND THE HOLY SEE. I REMEMBER WITH GRATITUDE HIS GENEROUS WORK IN THE PONTIFICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA, NICARAGUA, HONDURAS, URUGUAY, ISRAEL AND ITALY, WHERE HE DEVOTED HIMSELF WITH WISDOM TO THE GOOD OF THOSE POPULATIONS. AS ARCHPRIEST OF THE PAPAL BASILICA OF SAINT PAUL OUTSIDE-THE-WALLS, HE GAVE THE WITNESS OF A PARTICULARLY INTENSE AND COMPETENT COMMITMENT BOTH FROM A PASTORAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL, AND AN ARTISTIC-CULTURAL POINT OF VIEW, ENDEAVOURING TO RESTORE SPIRITUAL VITALITY TO THE ENTIRE COMPLEX AND NEW ZEAL TO THE ECUMENICAL VOCATION OF THAT PLACE OF WORSHIP. I RAISE FERVENT PRAYERS FOR HIS REPOSE, SO THAT BY THE INTERCESSION OF THE VIRGIN MARY AND THE APOSTLE OF THE PEOPLE, THE LORD MAY RECEIVE THE DEPARTED CARDINAL IN HIS ETERNAL JOY AND PEACE, AND I SEND MY APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO YOU AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, AND TO THOSE WHO MOURN THE PASSING OF THIS ZEALOUS PASTOR.
The Cardinal’s Biography
Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, Archpriest emeritus of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul-outside-the-Walls, was born on August 27, 1925, in Turin, Italy.
In 1949 he obtained a degree in architecture and while practicing such profession, he obtained from the Pontifical Gregorian University a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (1952) and a licentiate in theology (1954).
He was ordained a priest on March 13, 1954, and attended the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy (1957-1959) and in 1959 obtained a degree in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University. In the same year, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See and for 42 years served as nunciature secretary in various countries: the apostolic delegation in Mexico (1960-1964); the apostolic nunciature in Japan (1964-1965); the apostolic nunciature in Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania (1965-1968); Secretariat of State, council for public affairs (1968-1972).
He was appointed under-secretary and then secretary of the Pontifical Commission Iustitia et Pax, and on April 5, 1977, he was nominated titular Archbishop of Anglona and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Papua New Guinea and Apostolic Delegate in the Solomon Islands. On 4 June 1977, he received episcopal ordination.
On October 25, 1980, he was transferred to the apostolic nunciatures in Honduras and Nicaragua, and on 1 April 1986, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Uruguay.
On April 28, 1990, he was appointed Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine. On May 28 of the same year, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Cyprus. Always in 1990, he was appointed Apostolic Delegate in Jordan.
On April 13, 1991, he was transferred to the titular see of Tuscania and from 1994-1998 he served as Apostolic Nuncio in Israel. From March 7, 1998, until April 2001 he served as Apostolic Nuncio in Italy and in San Marino.
On May 31, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul outside-the-Walls.
An expert in heraldry, he contributed to the design of the coat of arms of Pope Benedict XVI. Archpriest emeritus of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul outside-the-Walls, July 3, 2009.
Created and proclaimed cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 March 2006, of the Title of Santa Maria in Portico (St. Mary in Portico), Diaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title.
Died on 19 November 2017.
