Giovanni Benelli

Giovanni Benelli (May 12, 1921 - October 26, 1982) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Florence from 1977 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1977.
==Biography==
===Early life and ordination===
Giovanni Benelli was born in Poggiole di Vernio, Tuscany, to Luigi and Maria (née Simoni) Benelli. Baptised the day after his birth, on May 13, he was the youngest of his parents' five surviving children, and his uncle Guido was a revered Franciscan friar. Benelli entered the Seminary of Pistoia in 1931, and then attended the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome. He received the clerical tonsure on December 23, 1939, and was eventually ordained a priest on October 31, 1943 by Bishop Giuseppe Debernardi. At age 22, he had not yet reached the canonical age for priestly ordination, and therefore was given a special dispensation. Benelli finished his studies at the Gregorian in 1947, and also undertook pastoral work in Rome until 1950. 
===Roman Curia===
His abilities were noticed by the Church, and he soon became attached to the Roman Curia. Named private secretary to Giovanni Battista Montini on August 1, 1947, Benelli was later raised to the rank of Monsignor on July 16, 1950. He served as the Secretary of nunciatures to Ireland (1950-1953) and to France (1953-1960). Benelli was then appointed to the following posts: auditor of nunciature to Brazil (1960-1962), counsellor of nunciature to Spain (1962-1965), and permanent observer of Holy See before UNESCO in Paris (1965-1966).
Shortly after his episcopal appointment, on June 29, 1967, he entered the Roman Curia as Substitute, or Deputy, of Secretariate of State. As then Secretary of State, Cardinal Cicognani, was too old to fulfill most of his duties, they fell to Benelli. He worked closely with his former master, now Pope Paul VI, and remained in this post for ten years.
===Archbishop===
On June 11, 1966, he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Tusuro and Apostolic Nuncio to Senegal, as well as apostolic delegate to Western Africa. Benelli received his episcopal consecration on the following September 11 from Amleto Cardinal Cicognani, with Archbishop Pietro Sigismondi and Bishop Mario Longo Dorni serving as co-consecrators. On September 11 of that same year, Benelli became Titular Archbishop of Tusuros.
Benelli was promoted to Archbishop of Florence on June 3, 1977, and was created Cardinal Priest of S. Prisca by Paul VI in the consistory of June 27, 1977. 
===Papabile===
Upon the deaths of Popes Paul VI and John Paul I, Benelli was considered the leading moderate candidate to succeed them, because of his close ties with Paul and his Italian heritage. He was one of the cardinal electors in the conclaves of August and October 1978, though did not manage to gain enough votes to ascend the Chair of Peter. During the August conclave, Benelli supported Albino Cardinal Luciani, the eventual winner.Time Magazine. In Rome, a Week off Suspense August 28, 1978Time Magazine. A Swift, Stunning Choice September 4, 1978
===Later life and death===
Benelli continued in his capacity of Cardinal Archbishop of Florence until he died of a sudden heart attack in Florence, at age 61. His funeral Mass was celebrated by Agostino Cardinal Casaroli, and his remains were buried in the Santa Maria del Fiore.
==Trivia==
*Cardinal Benelli was unpopularly known as the "the Berlin Wall"Time Magazine. The Pope's Powerful No. 2 March 14, 1969 and the "Vatican Kissinger"Time Magazine. Recent Events November 8, 1982 in the Vatican for his aggressive and almost authoritarian tenure as Substitute of State, including having the more senior Curialists channel business through him.
*Cardinal Benelli is portrayed by popular actor David Suchet in a West-End production of 'The Last Confession' at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. In the play, Benelli demands an autopsy on Pope Luciani's death, but later refrains from the inquiry in order to not harm the Church. He has reprised the role in a production for BBC Radio 4 broadcast on October 4 2008.
==See also==
* Papal conclave, 1978 (October)
* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence
==References==
En español:
(1976) Pancorbo, Luis: "Monseñor Benelli" en "Diálogos italianos". Pp. 343-353. Sedmay, Madrid. ISBN 84-7380-124-5
==External links==
*Catholic-Hierarchy
*Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church
==References==
*Biography
Category:1921 births
Category:1982 deaths
Category:People from the Province of Prato
Category:Italian cardinals
Category:Italian Roman Catholics
Category:Diplomats of the Holy See
Category:20th-century Roman Catholic archbishops
Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Florence
Category:Alumni of the Pontifical Gregorian University
Category:Alumni of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy
Category:Cardinals created by Pope Paul VI
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