Italian cardinal-designate helped establish Vatican-Israeli relations

Published: 2006-03-15

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Italian Archbishop Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo is a veteran diplomat who was instrumental in helping establish diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Israel. He also has served as apostolic nuncio in numerous countries that were often hotbeds of political or social unrest. As a sign of appreciation for his lifelong diplomatic service to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI will elevate him to cardinal March 24. At age 80, he will be one of three new cardinals too old to vote in a conclave. Currently serving as archpriest of Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Turin-born cardinal-designate was the Vatican's first nuncio to Israel when diplomatic relations were established in 1994. Before the Vatican and the state of Israel established any diplomatic relations, he was appointed the apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, in 1990. He worked closely with Israeli and Vatican officials as head of the Holy See's delegation working on the Vatican-Israeli bilateral commission. He was instrumental in helping normalize relations between the two states, which culminated in the signing of the historic "fundamental agreement" in 1993.

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