History of Pietro Parolin in Timeline

Pietro Parolin is a high-ranking Italian Catholic prelate currently serving as the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013. He also holds positions as a member of the Council of Cardinals since 2014 and is a Cardinal Bishop. Given his seniority and age (under 80), he is expected to preside over the 2025 papal conclave.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1921: Father's Birth

In 1921, Luigi Parolin, Pietro Parolin's father, was born.

1928: Mother's Birth

In 1928, Ada Miotti, Pietro Parolin's mother, was born.

1929: Youngest Secretary of State since 1929

At 58, in 2013, Parolin became the youngest Secretary of State since 1929.

January 1955: Pietro Parolin Born

In January 1955, Pietro Parolin was born. He is an Italian Catholic prelate who has served as the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013.

1965: Father's Death

In 1965, Pietro Parolin's father, Luigi Parolin, died in a car accident.

April 1980: Ordained

On April 27, 1980, Pietro Parolin was ordained.

1984: Lateran Concordat of 1984

Since 2000, Parolin worked with Bishop Attilio Nicora on implementing the revision of the Lateran Concordat of 1984, particularly regarding the Italian military ordinariate.

1986: Entered Holy See's diplomatic service

In 1986, at the age of 31, Pietro Parolin entered the Holy See's diplomatic service.

1989: Served in Mexico

From 1989 to 1992, Parolin served in the Nunciature of Mexico.

1992: Legal recognition of Catholic Church in Mexico

In 1992, Parolin contributed to the legal recognition of the Catholic Church in Mexico and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Mexico.

2000: Worked on Lateran Concordat revision

Since 2000, Parolin worked with Bishop Attilio Nicora on implementing the revision of the Lateran Concordat of 1984, particularly regarding the Italian military ordinariate.

November 2002: Undersecretary of State

From November 2002 to August 2009, Parolin was Undersecretary of State for Relations with States.

2005: Re-established direct contact with Beijing

During his time as undersecretary, Parolin re-established direct contact with Beijing in 2005.

September 2006: Addressed International Atomic Energy Agency

On September 18, 2006, Parolin addressed the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, referring to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) as the basis for nuclear disarmament.

April 2007: Helped secure liberation of British navy personnel

In April 2007, Parolin helped secure the liberation of 15 British navy personnel captured by Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf.

September 2007: Argued for 'responsibility to protect' regarding climate change

In September 2007, at the opening of the UN, Parolin argued for 'responsibility to protect' the world's climate through mitigation/adaptation.

August 2009: End of term as Undersecretary of State

From November 2002 to August 2009, Parolin was Undersecretary of State for Relations with States.

August 2009: Appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela

On August 17, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Parolin Titular Archbishop of Aquipendium and Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela.

September 2009: Consecrated as bishop

On September 12, 2009, Parolin was consecrated a bishop by Benedict XVI.

August 2013: Appointed Secretary of State

On August 31, 2013, Pope Francis appointed Parolin Secretary of State, replacing Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

2013: Appointed Vatican's Secretary of State

In 2013, Pietro Parolin was appointed as the Vatican's Secretary of State.

February 2014: Appointed to Congregation for the Oriental Churches

On February 19, 2014, Parolin was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Parolin became Francis' first cardinal when he was made Cardinal-Priest of Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo a Torre Angela at a papal general consistory on February 22, 2014.

July 2014: Became member of Council of Cardinal Advisers

In July 2014, Parolin became the ninth member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers.

October 2014: Moderated meeting between Cuban and US officials

In October 2014, Parolin moderated the meeting between Cuban and US officials as their negotiations neared an agreement.

December 2014: Asked for humanitarian solution for Guantanamo prisoners

In December 2014, Parolin asked the United States to find an "adequate humanitarian solution" for prisoners held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

2014: Member of Council of Cardinals

In 2014, Pietro Parolin became a member of the Council of Cardinals and was made a cardinal.

2014: Invited to mediate talks in Venezuela

In 2014, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro invited Parolin to mediate talks between his government and opposition.

May 2015: Expressed sadness over Marriage Equality Referendum in Ireland

In May 2015, after the passage of the Marriage Equality Referendum in Ireland, Parolin said he was saddened by the result, viewing it as a defeat for humanity.

June 2015: Visited Abu Dhabi

In June 2015, Parolin visited Abu Dhabi to inaugurate Saint Paul's Church in Musaffah.

2015: Discussed normalization of Cuba-US relations

In 2015, Parolin discussed the normalization of Cuba-US relations and the role of Vatican diplomacy.

February 2016: Defended celibacy as a gift

In February 2016, in a keynote speech at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Parolin defended celibacy as a "gift" that must be received and nurtured with "joyful perseverance".

May 2016: Visited Estonia

In May 2016, Parolin visited Estonia to mark the 25th anniversary of the reintroduction of diplomatic relations between Estonia and the Holy See.

October 2016: Appointed to Congregation for Divine Worship

In October 2016, Parolin was appointed a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

2017: Visited Moscow

In 2017, Parolin became the Vatican's first Secretary of State in 19 years to visit Moscow.

June 2018: Raised to Cardinal Bishop

In June 2018, Pope Francis raised Parolin to the rank of Cardinal Bishop.

October 2018: Parolin comments on Paul VI and Humane Vitae

In October 2018, Parolin commented that Paul VI had rejected a version of Humane Vitae. He added that post-publication debates made it impossible for many people to see its accent on mercy.

2018: Architect of Vatican's agreement with China

In 2018, Parolin was one of the primary architects of the Vatican's agreement with China.

September 2020: Omission from Commission of Cardinals

On 21 September 2020, it was announced that the new board makeup omitted the Secretary of State (Parolin) from the Commission of Cardinals of the Institute for the Works of Religion.

October 2020: Membership of the Council of Cardinals confirmed

On 15 October 2020, Pope Francis confirmed Parolin's membership of the Council of Cardinals.

November 2024: COP 29 obstruction allegations

At COP 29 in November 2024, Colombia's environment minister alleged that Parolin aligned with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, and Egypt to obstruct a deal supporting women at the forefront of climate change.

2024: Mother's Death

In 2024, Ada Miotti, Pietro Parolin's mother, died.

February 2025: Rejection of Pope Francis resignation rumors

In February 2025, as Pope Francis's health worsened, Parolin rejected rumors that the Pope would resign.

May 3, 2025: Giuliano Di Bernardo claims friendship with Parolin

In an interview published on May 3, 2025, Giuliano Di Bernardo, former Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Italy, claimed he met and became close friends with Parolin in the early 2000s, collaborating on many projects and wishing him to be elected Pope.