Mario Zenari
Stored: Mario Zenari
| His Eminence Mario Zenari | |
| Bishop of Apostolic Nunciature to Syria | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Verona |
| Other diocese 1: | Apostolic Nunciature to Sri Lanka |
| Other diocese 2: | Apostolic Nunciature to Ivory Coast |
| Other diocese 3: | Apostolic Nunciature to Burkina Faso |
| Ordination: | 5 July 1970 by Bishop Giuseppe Carraro |
| Consecration: | 25 September 1999 by Cardinal Angelo Sodano |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 19 November 2016 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Mario Zenari 5 January 1946 Rosegaferro, Verona Province, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Levate Oculos Vestros" (Lift Up Your Eyes) |
| Role: | Diplomatic |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Middle East |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Mario Zenari, born on 5 January 1946, is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as Apostolic Nuncio to Syria since 2008 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2016.[1] Born in Rosegaferro, Verona Province, Italy, he was ordained a priest in 1970 for the Diocese of Verona, entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1980, and served as Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka (2004–2008), Ivory Coast, Niger, and Burkina Faso (1999–2004).[2] Known for his moderate theology, Zenari has remained in Syria throughout its civil war, advocating for peace, humanitarian aid, and the lifting of sanctions, earning the 2017 Path to Peace Award for his efforts.[3][4]
Zenari’s diplomatic career includes service in Senegal, Liberia, Colombia, Germany, and Romania, with a focus on humanitarian crises, notably supporting Syria’s Open Hospitals project since 2016, providing medical care to the poor.[5] His outspoken criticism of Syria’s “poverty bomb” and international sanctions, coupled with interfaith engagements, such as his 2017 visit to Aleppo’s Great Mosque, underscore his commitment to peace.[6] Ineligible for the 2025 papal conclave due to his age (79), Zenari remains a symbol of the Church’s solidarity with Syria, as noted in X posts, though papabile speculation is absent.[7] He continues to advocate for Syria’s reconstruction, urging Christians to stay and contribute.[8]
Biography
Birth and early life
Mario Zenari was born on 5 January 1946 in Rosegaferro, a hamlet of Villafranca di Verona, Verona Province, Italy, in the Diocese of Verona.[1] He attended primary school in Rosegaferro and secondary school at the diocesan Seminary in Verona, showing an early vocation.[9] His family’s devotion to Saints, particularly Francis of Assisi, shaped his commitment to service.[3]
Raised in a Catholic community in Italy’s Veneto region, Zenari’s early life fostered his diplomatic and pastoral calling.[2] His rural upbringing in a City hamlet grounded his later humanitarian focus.[9]
Education
Zenari studied philosophy and theology at the San Zeno Theological Institute in Verona, then earned a licentiate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.[2] To prepare for diplomacy, he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1976.[1] He was ordained a priest on 5 July 1970 by Bishop Giuseppe Carraro in the Roman Rite.[1]
His academic roles included formation work in Verona’s Seminary, equipping him for diplomatic service.[9] Zenari speaks Italian, French, Spanish, and German.[3]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Diocese of Verona in 1970, Zenari served as parish vicar in Buttapietra (1970–1973) and Cerea (1973–1976), both in Verona.[9] He entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1980, serving in nunciatures in Senegal (1980–1981), Liberia (1981–1985), Colombia (1985–1988), Germany (1988–1992, during the Berlin Wall’s fall), and Romania (1992–1993).[2] Appointed nunciature counselor on 25 March 1993 and Permanent Observer to UN agencies in Vienna in 1994, he was named Monsignor and Prelate of Honour in 1994.[1]
His priesthood blended pastoral and diplomatic roles, without affiliation to a Religious order, preparing him for senior nunciatures.[3] His early parish work shaped his humanitarian focus.[9]
Bishop
Appointed titular Bishop of Zuglio (later Titular Archbishop of Iulium Carnicum) and Apostolic Nuncio to Ivory Coast, Niger, and Burkina Faso on 12 July 1999 by Pope John Paul II, Zenari was consecrated on 25 September 1999 by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, with Bishop Flavio Roberto Carraro and Bishop Marcello Zago as co-consecrators.[1] Named Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka on 10 May 2004, he served until his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to Syria on 30 December 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI.[2]
Elevated to cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci fuori Porta Cavalleggeri on 19 November 2016, Zenari remained in Syria, a rare exception for a nuncio, symbolizing solidarity.[4] Appointed to the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in 2017, he facilitates ecumenical dialogue.[10] His moderate theology balances diplomacy with humanitarian advocacy, though his sanction critiques have sparked debate.[6]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apostolic Nunciature to Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso | Apostolic Nuncio | 12 July 1999 | 10 May 2004 | Titular Bishop of Zuglio, later Titular Archbishop of Iulium Carnicum |
| Apostolic Nunciature to Sri Lanka | Apostolic Nuncio | 10 May 2004 | 30 December 2008 | |
| Apostolic Nunciature to Syria | Apostolic Nuncio | 30 December 2008 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2016 |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Verona on 5 July 1970 by Bishop Giuseppe Carraro.[1]
- Entered Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1980, serving in Senegal, Liberia, Colombia, Germany, and Romania.[2]
- Appointed Permanent Observer to UN agencies in Vienna on 7 February 1994 by Pope John Paul II.[1]
- Appointed titular Bishop of Zuglio and Apostolic Nuncio to Ivory Coast, Niger, and Burkina Faso on 12 July 1999.[1]
- Consecrated on 25 September 1999 by Cardinal Angelo Sodano.[1]
- Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka on 10 May 2004.[2]
- Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Syria on 30 December 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci fuori Porta Cavalleggeri on 19 November 2016 by Pope Francis.[4]
- Received Path to Peace Award in 2017 for humanitarian efforts in Syria.[4]
- Visited Aleppo’s Great Mosque on 22 January 2017, promoting interfaith dialogue.[11]
- Appointed to Dicastery for the Eastern Churches on 23 December 2017.[10]
- Advocated lifting sanctions and rebuilding Syria after Assad’s fall in December 2024.[8]
- Met Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II on 13 December 2024 to discuss Syria’s future.[12]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Glatz, Carol (30 April 2025). "Italian nuncio uses ‘weapons’ of charity, truth serving in warzones". https://catholicreview.org/italian-nuncio-uses-weapons-of-charity-truth-serving-in-warzones/.
- "Cardinal Mario Zenari". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/mario-zenari.
- Henning, Christophe (17 October 2024). "Cardinal Mario Zenari". https://cardinaux.la-croix.com/cardinal/mario-zenari.
Written by the bishop
- No books solely authored by Cardinal Mario Zenari have been identified in available sources, though he has written homilies and articles on Syria’s humanitarian crisis and peacebuilding.[3]
External links
- Mario Cardinal Zenari at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Mario Zenari at Vatican Press
- Cardinal Zenari expresses cautious optimism for Syria’s future at Vatican News
- Cardinal Mario Zenari appeal: “Do not forget Syria” at AVSI-USA
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Cheney, David M.. "Mario Cardinal Zenari". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bzenari.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Cardinal Mario Zenari". 19 November 2016. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_zenari.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Cardinal Mario Zenari". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/mario-zenari.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Glatz, Carol (30 April 2025). "Italian nuncio uses ‘weapons’ of charity, truth serving in warzones". https://catholicreview.org/italian-nuncio-uses-weapons-of-charity-truth-serving-in-warzones/.
- ↑ "Turkey-Syria earthquake: Cardinal Mario Zenari appeal: “Do not forget Syria”". 14 February 2023. https://avsi-usa.org/news-events/news/turkey-syria-earthquake-cardinal-mario-zenari-appeal-do-not-forget-syria.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Cardinal Zenari: In Syria, the bomb of poverty is killing hope". 22 September 2024. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-09/cardinal-zenari-in-syria-the-bomb-of-poverty-is-killing-hope.html.
- ↑ Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Cardinal Zenari expresses cautious optimism for Syria’s future". 2 January 2025. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-01/cardinal-zenari-expresses-cautious-optimism-for-syria-s-future.html.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Mario Zenari". 9 October 2016. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Zenari.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Mario Zenari". 27 July 2012. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Zenari.
- ↑ "Mario Zenari Photos". https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/mario-zenari.
- ↑ "Visit of His Eminence Cardinal Mario Zenari". 13 December 2024. https://syriacpatriarchate.org/2024/12/visit-of-his-eminence-cardinal-mario-zenari/.