New Secretary of State appointed

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of His Eminence, Card. Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, in accordance with the directives of Canon 354 of the Code of Canoon Law, asking him, however, to remain in office until 15 October, 2013, with all the faculties proper to the office.

At the same time, the Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Pietro Parolin, currently serving as Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, as the new Secretary of State. He will take possession of his new office on 15 October, 2013.

On that occasion, His Holiness shall receive in audience Superiors and Officials of the Secretariat of State, in order publically to thank Cardinal Bertone for his faithful and generous service to the Holy See, and to introduce them to the new Secretary of State.

Archbishop Pietro Parolin was born in Schavon (Vicenza, Italy) on January 17, 1955.  He was ordained a priest on April 27, 1980 and was incardinated in the Diocese of Vicenza.  He holds a degree in Canon Law.

Having entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on July 1, 1986, he served in the Nunciatures of Nigeria and Mexico, and then in the Section for the Relations with States of the Vatican Secretariat of State.  He was named Undersecretary of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State on November 30, 2002.

On August 17, 2009, he was named to the position of Apostolic Nuncio in Venezuela and elevated to the titular see of Acquapendente, with the dignity of Archbishop.  He received episcopal ordination from the hands of Pope Benedict XVI on September 12 of that same year.

Other than his native Italian, Archbishop Parolin speaks French, English and Spanish.