Fernando Filoni: A Diplomat’s Journey Through Vatican Diplomacy and Conflict
Vatican City: Papabile Fernando Filoni, a seasoned diplomat from Galatone in Puglia, Italy, stands as a significant figure within Vatican diplomacy. At 79 years old, Cardinal Filoni has dedicated his ecclesiastical career to serving under Popes John Paul II, Benedict, and Francis, making a mark as the grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
According to Ansa News Agency, Filoni’s expertise in international relations was honed through various assignments across the globe. With academic credentials in Philosophy, Canon Law, and Communications, he has served in countries like Sri Lanka, Iran, Brazil, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, closely following post-Mao China’s developments. His journey also took him to Jordan and Iraq, where he played crucial roles in navigating complex geopolitical situations.
Filoni’s tenure as substitute at the Secretariat of State and later as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, known as Propaganda Fide, marked significant milestones. This Vatican department, often referred to as “the red pope” due to its influence, oversees global missions. Notably, Filoni remained in Baghdad during the 2003 Gulf War, the only Western diplomat to do so amidst the bombings, earning respect for his steadfastness.
His resilience was further recognized when a local Islamic community member crafted a pectoral cross for him. Filoni’s commitment to those he served was evident when he stated, “When the roar of bombs and missiles reached the nunciature, I said: calm down, as long as we hear them it means we are alive.”
In 2011, Pope Benedict called Filoni to Rome to lead Propaganda Fide, elevating him to cardinal the following year. Filoni participated in his first conclave in 2013. The challenges continued in 2014 when Pope Francis sent him back to Iraq to support Christians amid the ISIS threat. Filoni returned to Iraq in 2021, accompanying Pope Francis on the first papal visit to the land of Abraham.
Filoni’s role as grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, appointed in 2019, involves overseeing charitable and cultural initiatives in the Holy Land. Reflecting on the conclave process, he shared with Corriere della Sera the balance between calculated decision-making and the mysterious influence of faith, underlining the intricate dynamics in choosing a new pope.