Tarcisio Bertone
Stored: Tarcisio Bertone
| His Eminence Tarcisio Bertone | |
| Bishop of College of Cardinals | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Vercelli |
| Other diocese 1: | Archdiocese of Genoa |
| Other diocese 2: | Velletri-Segni |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 1 July 1960 by Archbishop Albino Mensa |
| Consecration: | 1 August 1992 by Archbishop Albino Mensa |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 21 October 2003 by Pope John Paul II |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone 2 December 1934 Romano Canavese, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italy |
| Education: | Pontifical Salesian University |
| Motto: | "Fari lumen" |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Conservative |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, born December 2, 1934, is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, known for his influential tenure as Secretary of State under Pope Benedict XVI (2006–2013). Ordained a priest in 1960 for the Diocese of Vercelli and consecrated a bishop in 1992, he was elevated to cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. A Salesian priest, Bertone served as Archbishop of Genoa (2002–2006) before becoming the Vatican’s second-highest official, managing diplomatic and administrative affairs during a turbulent period marked by the Vatileaks scandal. His conservative theology and loyalty to Benedict XVI shaped his curial leadership, though controversies, including allegations of mismanagement, have shadowed his legacy. Retired since 2013, Bertone’s age (90 in 2025) renders him ineligible to vote in the 2025 papal conclave following Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025.
Bertone’s career blends pastoral service, academic work as a canon law professor, and high-level Vatican roles, including Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1995–2002) under then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. His motto, "Fari lumen" ("To bear light"), reflects his commitment to Church teaching, though his tenure as Secretary of State faced criticism for centralized control and strained relations with the Roman Curia. Once a potential papal candidate, Bertone’s retirement and the Vatileaks fallout diminished his influence. As an emeritus cardinal, he remains a respected figure for his contributions to canon law and Salesian spirituality, with limited symbolic role in the post-Francis Church.
Biography
Birth and early life
Tarcisio Bertone was born on December 2, 1934, in Romano Canavese, a small town in Piedmont, Italy, to a devout Catholic family. The fifth of eight children, he grew up in a rural setting, where his early exposure to Salesian priests sparked his vocation. At age 16, he entered the Salesian Society of Saint John Bosco, drawn to its emphasis on education and youth ministry.
Italy’s post-World War II recovery shaped Bertone’s formative years, with the Church playing a central role in community life. His family’s faith and his academic aptitude led him to pursue priestly formation, balancing Salesian spirituality with intellectual rigor. Bertone’s early commitment to the Church was evident in his leadership in youth programs, foreshadowing his later pastoral and administrative roles. [1]
Education
Bertone studied philosophy and theology at the Salesian Theological College in Turin, earning a licentiate in theology. He later pursued advanced studies at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, obtaining a doctorate in canon law with a dissertation on ecclesiastical governance. His academic work focused on the relationship between Church and state, a theme that would influence his curial career.
Ordained a priest in 1960, Bertone continued his education with postgraduate studies in Rome, specializing in moral theology and canon law. His Salesian formation emphasized pastoral care and education, equipping him to teach and administer within the Church. This rigorous academic background prepared him for his later roles in Vatican congregations and diplomacy. [2]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on July 1, 1960, by Archbishop Albino Mensa for the Diocese of Vercelli, Bertone served in Salesian parishes and schools, focusing on youth ministry and catechesis. In the 1970s, he became a professor of moral theology and canon law at the Pontifical Salesian University, later serving as rector magnificus (1989–1991). His scholarly work earned him recognition as a leading canonist.
Bertone’s pastoral and academic roles included advising Italian bishops on legal matters and contributing to Church-state negotiations. His appointment as a consultor to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1984 marked his entry into Vatican service, where he worked closely with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. This period honed his administrative skills, paving the way for his episcopal rise. [1]
Bishop
Consecrated Archbishop of Vercelli on August 1, 1992, by Archbishop Albino Mensa, Bertone served until 1995, revitalizing the diocese through youth programs and pastoral outreach. He was Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (1995–2002), assisting Cardinal Ratzinger in addressing theological controversies. Appointed Archbishop of Genoa in 2002 and cardinal in 2003, Bertone became Secretary of State in 2006, serving as Pope Benedict XVI’s chief collaborator until 2013.
As Secretary of State, Bertone managed Vatican diplomacy and administration but faced criticism for centralizing power and mishandling the Vatileaks scandal, which exposed curial dysfunction. His conservative stance, particularly on moral issues, aligned with Benedict XVI’s vision, though it strained relations with some curial factions. Retired since 2013, Bertone’s influence persists through his canon law contributions, but his age renders him ineligible for the 2025 conclave. [3]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Vercelli | Archbishop | 1 August 1992 | 13 June 1995 | Revitalized diocesan youth programs |
| Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith | Secretary | 13 June 1995 | 10 December 2002 | Assisted Cardinal Ratzinger |
| Archdiocese of Genoa | Archbishop | 10 December 2002 | 15 September 2006 | Promoted pastoral outreach |
| Secretariat of State | Secretary | 15 September 2006 | 15 October 2013 | Managed Vatican diplomacy; faced Vatileaks scrutiny |
| Velletri-Segni | Cardinal-Bishop | 10 May 2008 | Present | Elevated to cardinal-bishop |
Significant events
- Entered the Salesian Society in 1950.
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Vercelli in 1960.
- Consecrated Archbishop of Vercelli in 1992.
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003.
- Appointed Secretary of State by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.
- Retired from active curial duties in 2013.
Books
Written about the bishop
- The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church by John Thavis, ISBN 978-0143124535 (discusses Bertone’s role in Vatileaks)
Written by the bishop
- The Ethics of Truth by Tarcisio Bertone, ISBN 978-8878391284
- The Last Pope: Benedict XVI in the Vatican by Tarcisio Bertone, ISBN 978-1621640066
External links
- Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone at Vatican Press Office
- Vatican News article on Bertone’s retirement
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-24. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbertone.html.
- ↑ "Biography of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone". Vatican Press Office. 2025-04-24. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_bertone.html.
- ↑ "Cardinal Bertone retires as Secretary of State". Vatican News. 2013-10-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2013-10/cardinal-bertone-retires-secretary-state.html.