Cardinal Matines Somalo, Minister Emeritus of the Holy See, rests in the Vatican. This Spanish cardinal performed the duties of the Chief Treasurer of the Holy Church in Rome during the vacancy of the Pontifical in 2005. Pope Francis cherished the memory of this “diligent collaborator who served six popes” in his message of condolences.
(Vatican News Network)Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo (Eduardo Martínez Somalo), Minister Emeritus of the Congregation of the Holy See, died in the Vatican on August 10, at the age of 94. The Spanish priest dedicated his life in the Holy See and served as the Minister of the Holy See’s Liturgy and Sacrament and the Chief Treasurer of the Holy Church of Rome. After hearing the news, Pope Francis sent condolences to the family of the late cardinal and all those who knew and respected the late cardinal. The Pope missed the “spiritual testimony of this dear brother”.
Pope Bergerio “sincerely with admiration” recalled the “long and rich experience” of Cardinal Martinez Somalo. The late cardinal worked diligently for the six popes, engaged in a number of “tricky and important duties,” and “served the church and the Holy See faithfully and generously.” Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the Lord for this. In the message of condolence, the Pope pleaded with the Lord to accept the late cardinal “return to heaven and enjoy the blessings promised to the faithful servants of the gospel.”
A few days before March 31, 2007, shortly before his 80th birthday, Cardinal Martinez Somalo offered Pope Benedict XVI his resignation. In his reply, Pope Ratzinger expressed his deep respect for the then Chief Treasurer of the Holy Church of Rome. In just a few lines of the letter, he used words such as “diligence”, “competence” and “love”. , And recalled the emptiness and solemnity of the cardinal when the chief treasurer of the Holy Church of Rome became the highest surviving authority of the church during the vacancy period when St. John Paul II just passed away. This letter from Benedict XVI reveals “sincere appreciation” for Cardinal Martinez Somalo.
Cardinal Matines Somalo was ordained in Rome in 1950. He studied at the Pontifical Spanish Academy of Rome and Pontifical Gregorian University, obtained a diploma in theology and canon law, and studied at the Diplomatic Academy of the Holy See. In August 1956, Martinez Somalo entered the State Council of the Holy See for the first time, and later became the head of the Spanish group. Therefore, he accompanied Pope Paul VI on a visit to Colombia in August 1968 and participated in the 39th International Eucharist Congress.
After spending 14 years in the Vatican, M. Martinez Somalo was appointed Counselor of the Holy See Mission to the United Kingdom in April 1970. But six months after he arrived in England, he was transferred back to the Holy See State Department in October of the same year. In the next five years, the Spanish priest worked in various offices in the Vatican. He was humorous and approachable, especially caring for those who were suffering. On November 12, 1975, he left Rome again to serve as the Holy See’s ambassador to Colombia. But after only four years in Colombia, he was called back to Rome.
This time it was John Paul II who appointed him Deputy Secretary of State of the Holy See in May 1979. Archbishop Matines Somalo held this post until 1988. That year, the Pope promoted him to Cardinal and appointed him Minister of the Liturgy and Sacrament of the Holy See. In 1992, Cardinal Matines Somalo stepped down from this post and changed to lead the congregation of the Holy See; in 2004, he became the minister emeritus of the congregation of the Holy See.
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