Cardinal Pietro Parolin is a top candidate to succeed Pope Francis. He has many years of experience in Vatican diplomacy, and his career includes both achievements and controversies. Born on January 17, 1955, in Schiavon, northern Italy, Parolin entered the seminary at age 14 and was ordained a priest in 1980.
He studied canon law and diplomacy at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy to prepare for his job in the Vatican’s diplomatic service.
Parolin’s diplomatic work spans over 30 years and includes postings in Nigeria, Mexico, and Venezuela. He is known for handling sensitive political and religious situations. He played a key role in restoring diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Mexico after a century-long break.
In 2002, he became the Undersecretary for Relations with States, which is the Vatican’s deputy foreign minister. In this role, he focused on nuclear nonproliferation, religious freedom, and climate responsibility globally. His skills were noticeable in negotiations involving the Middle East, Vietnam, North Korea, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Parolin Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela during a time of political crisis. He engaged with both Church and state leaders to keep dialogue open. Four years later, Pope Francis named him Vatican Secretary of State, the second-highest position in the Church. This made him the youngest person to hold this role since 1929.
As Secretary of State, Parolin has influenced Vatican diplomacy, including a controversial agreement made in 2018 with China about bishop appointments. This deal aimed to unite the underground and state-recognised Catholic communities in China but faced criticism for its secrecy and perceived compromises to the Chinese government.
Parolin has dealt with scandals as well. He has connections to financial troubles in the Vatican, especially a failed 2018 investment in a London property. Although he was never charged, investigations showed he approved risky deals and pressured bank officials for loans.
He also took responsibility for a 2014 loan that used funds from a Vatican children’s hospital to support a financially struggling Italian hospital, despite warnings about the risks from other Vatican officials. These financial issues have clouded his otherwise successful career.
Beyond finance, Parolin has worked to resolve conflicts in the Church, such as disputes within the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Vatican’s position on Spain’s “Valley of the Fallen” memorial. Critics say he did not defend the Church’s interests enough against the government.
Despite these controversies, Parolin is still respected in the Vatican. He is known for his language skills, diplomatic approach, and ability to unite people within the Church. Supporters see him as a steady influence who can continue Pope Francis’s legacy while bringing stability to governance.
As the College of Cardinals prepares to elect the next pope, Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s mix of diplomatic skills and complex history makes him a strong contender to lead the Catholic Church into the future.