Angelo Comastri
Encyclopedia
Angelo Comastri is an Italian
clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the current President of the Fabric of Saint Peter
, Archpriest
of St. Peter's Basilica
, and Vicar General for the Vatican City State
. He previously served as Bishop of Massa Marittima-Piombino
(1990–1994) and Territorial Prelate of Loreto (1996–2005). He was created a cardinal
in 2007.
to Fernando and Beneria (née Scossa) Comastri. He received his early education at schools in his native town, and attended the seminary of Pitigliano
and the Regional Seminary "S. Maria della Quercia" in Viterbo
. He continued his studies in Rome
, at the Pontifical Lateran University
(where he earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
) and at the Pontifical Roman Seminary
. On 11 March 1967, he was ordained
to the priesthood
by Bishop Luigi Boccadoro.
Comastri served as vice-rector
of the minor seminary
of Pitigliano and, at the same time, did pastoral work in the parish of S. Quirico. He was later assigned to the Roman Curia
, becoming an official of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation
. He served as spiritual director
of the Pontifical Minor Roman Seminary and a chaplain
at Roman jails before returning to the Diocese of Pitigliano, where he became rector of the seminary in 1971. In 1979, he was named pastor
of the parish of S. Stefano Protomartire in Porto Santo Stefano
. He was also a member of the diocesan college of consultors, and served as episcopal delegate for the seminarians residing outside of the diocese and professor
of religion at the Professional Institute for Maritime Activities in Porto Santo Stefano.
On 25 July 1990, Comastri was appointed Bishop of Massa Marittima-Piombino
by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following 12 September from Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, with Archbishop Gaetano Bonicelli and Bishop Eugenio Binini serving as co-consecrators
, in the parish church S. Stefano Protomartire. He resigned as bishop for health reasons on 3 March 1994. Following his recovery, he was named president of the National Italian Committee for the Jubilee of the Year 2000 and placed in charge of the National Center for Vocations of the Italian Episcopal Conference
.
Comastri was named Territorial Prelate
of the Territorial Prelature of Loreto, with the personal title of Archbishop
, on 9 November 1996. On 5 February 2005, he was appointed President of the Fabric of Saint Peter
and Coadjutor
Archpriest
of St. Peter's Basilica
. He preached the Lent
en spiritual exercises for Pope John Paul II and the Roman Curia, and redacted the meditations for the Stations of the Cross
presided by Pope Benedict XVI
in the Colosseum
on Good Friday 2005. Upon the retirement of Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, Comastri succeeded him as Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica on 31 October 2006.
Pope Benedict XVI created him Cardinal-Deacon
of S. Salvatore in Lauro
in the consistory
of 24 November 2007. In addition to his main duties, he also serves as vice-president of the Pontifical Academy of the Immacolata and a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He is the current President of the Fabric of Saint Peter
Fabric of Saint Peter
The Fabric of Saint Peter is an office within the Roman Curia of the Roman Catholic Church. The office was founded in 1908 as the Sacred Congregation of the Reverend Basilica of St. Peter and had its named changed in 1967 by Pope Paul VI to the Reverend Fabric of St...
, Archpriest
Archpriest
An archpriest is a priest with supervisory duties over a number of parishes. The term is most often used in Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic Churches, although it may be used in the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church instead of dean or vicar forane.In the 16th and 17th centuries, during...
of St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
, and Vicar General for the Vatican City State
Vicar General for the Vatican City State
The Vicar General for the Vatican City State or more formally the Vicar General of His Holiness for the State of Vatican City is an appointed position within the Roman Catholic Church, appointed by the Pope...
. He previously served as Bishop of Massa Marittima-Piombino
Roman Catholic Diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino
The diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino is a Roman Catholic eccleasistical territory in central Italy, known as diocese of Massa Marittima before 1978...
(1990–1994) and Territorial Prelate of Loreto (1996–2005). He was created a cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
in 2007.
Biography
Comastri was born in SoranoSorano
Sorano is a town and comune in the province of Grosseto, southern Tuscany .It as an ancient medieval hill town hanging from a tuff stone over the Lente River.thumb|220px|left|A view of Sorano.-History:...
to Fernando and Beneria (née Scossa) Comastri. He received his early education at schools in his native town, and attended the seminary of Pitigliano
Pitigliano
Pitigliano is an Italian town and comune of province of Grosseto in the Maremma area of Tuscany. The town stands on an abrupt tuff butte high above the Olpeta, the Fiora and the Lente rivers.-History:...
and the Regional Seminary "S. Maria della Quercia" in Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
. He continued his studies in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, at the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
(where he earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
) and at the Pontifical Roman Seminary
Pontifical Roman Seminary
The Pontifical Roman Seminary is a seminary in Rome, Italy located at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.Its teachings are based on the Roman Pontifical.-History:...
. On 11 March 1967, he was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Bishop Luigi Boccadoro.
Comastri served as vice-rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the minor seminary
Minor seminary
A minor seminary is a secondary boarding school created for the specific purpose of enrolling teenage boys who have expressed interest in becoming priests. They are generally Roman Catholic institutions, and designed to prepare boys both academically and spiritually for vocations to the priesthood...
of Pitigliano and, at the same time, did pastoral work in the parish of S. Quirico. He was later assigned to the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
, becoming an official of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation
Congregation for Bishops
The Congregation for Bishops is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the selection of new bishops that are not in mission territories or those areas that come under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches who deal with the Eastern Catholics, pending papal...
. He served as spiritual director
Spiritual direction
Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. The person seeking direction shares stories of his or her encounters of the divine, or how he or she is experiencing...
of the Pontifical Minor Roman Seminary and a chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
at Roman jails before returning to the Diocese of Pitigliano, where he became rector of the seminary in 1971. In 1979, he was named pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of the parish of S. Stefano Protomartire in Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano
Porto Santo Stefano is located in the municipality of Monte Argentario, in the Province of Grosseto, in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is one of the 2 major towns that form the townships along with Porto Ercole.-Position:...
. He was also a member of the diocesan college of consultors, and served as episcopal delegate for the seminarians residing outside of the diocese and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of religion at the Professional Institute for Maritime Activities in Porto Santo Stefano.
On 25 July 1990, Comastri was appointed Bishop of Massa Marittima-Piombino
Roman Catholic Diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino
The diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino is a Roman Catholic eccleasistical territory in central Italy, known as diocese of Massa Marittima before 1978...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following 12 September from Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, with Archbishop Gaetano Bonicelli and Bishop Eugenio Binini serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
, in the parish church S. Stefano Protomartire. He resigned as bishop for health reasons on 3 March 1994. Following his recovery, he was named president of the National Italian Committee for the Jubilee of the Year 2000 and placed in charge of the National Center for Vocations of the Italian Episcopal Conference
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
The Italian Episcopal Conference is the episcopal conference of the Italian bishops of the Catholic Church and as such is the official assembly of all the bishops in Italy. The conference was founded in 1971 and carries out certain tasks as well as having authority assigned to setting the...
.
Comastri was named Territorial Prelate
Territorial Prelate
A territorial prelate is, in Catholic usage, a prelate whose geographic jurisdiction, called territorial prelature, does not belong to any diocese and is considered a particular church....
of the Territorial Prelature of Loreto, with the personal title of Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
, on 9 November 1996. On 5 February 2005, he was appointed President of the Fabric of Saint Peter
Fabric of Saint Peter
The Fabric of Saint Peter is an office within the Roman Curia of the Roman Catholic Church. The office was founded in 1908 as the Sacred Congregation of the Reverend Basilica of St. Peter and had its named changed in 1967 by Pope Paul VI to the Reverend Fabric of St...
and Coadjutor
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
Archpriest
Archpriest
An archpriest is a priest with supervisory duties over a number of parishes. The term is most often used in Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic Churches, although it may be used in the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church instead of dean or vicar forane.In the 16th and 17th centuries, during...
of St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
. He preached the Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
en spiritual exercises for Pope John Paul II and the Roman Curia, and redacted the meditations for the Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross refers to the depiction of the final hours of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St...
presided by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
in the Colosseum
Colosseum
The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre , is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire...
on Good Friday 2005. Upon the retirement of Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, Comastri succeeded him as Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica on 31 October 2006.
Pope Benedict XVI created him Cardinal-Deacon
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
of S. Salvatore in Lauro
San Salvatore in Lauro
San Salvatore in Lauro is a Catholic church in central Rome, Italy, located in the rione Ponte. It is the "national church" of the marchigiani, the inhabitants of the Marche region of Italy...
in the consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
of 24 November 2007. In addition to his main duties, he also serves as vice-president of the Pontifical Academy of the Immacolata and a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
.