Giovanni Angelo Becciu

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His Excellency
Giovanni Angelo Becciu
Substitute of the Secretariat of State
File:Giovanni Angelo Becciu in 2013.jpg
See Rusellae
Appointed 10 May 2011
Predecessor Fernando Filoni
Other posts Titular Archbishop of Rusellae
Orders
Ordination 27 August 1972
by Almeida Kanda
Consecration 1 December 2001
by Angelo Sodano
Personal details
Born (1948-06-02) 2 June 1948 (age 75)
Pattada, Italy
Nationality Italian
Denomination Roman Catholic
Previous post
  • Apostolic Nuncio to Angola (2001-2009)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe (2001-2009)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba (2009-2011)
Styles of
Giovanni Angelo Becciu
Mitre (plain).svg
Reference style The Most Reverend
Spoken style Your Grace
Religious style Monsignor
Posthumous style none

Giovanni Angelo Becciu (born 2 June 1948) was appointed Substitute for General Affairs by Pope Benedict XVI on 10 May 2011.[1] Becciu had previously been nuncio to Cuba.

Becciu was born in 1948 in Pattada (Sassari), Sardinia, Italy. After completing his studies in theology and philosophy he was ordained to the priesthood on 27 August 1972. He was invited to attend the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy to gain practical experience in diplomacy and at the same time a doctoral degree. After four years Becciu earned a doctoral degree in canon law and formally entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 May 1984. He worked at the Pontifical Representations in Central African Republic, Sudan, New Zealand, Liberia, United Kingdom, France and the United States. Becciu knows the French, English, Spanish and Portuguese languages.

On 15 October 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Angola, at the same time as was customary elevating him as Titular Archbishop of Roselle. On 15 November of the same year he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio also to São Tomé and Principe. He received his episcopal consecration on 1 December 2001 with Cardinal Angelo Sodano as principal consecrator and Archbishop Paolo Romeo and Bishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti as principal co-consecrators.

On 23 July 2009 Pope Benedict named him Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba. There he played a role in the negotiations, led by Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, that led to the release of dozens of political prisoners.[2]

Archbishop Becciu remained in Cuba until 10 May 2011, when he was recalled to the Roman Curia to work as Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, replacing Fernando Filoni, who was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

The Substitute for General Affairs usually meets with the Pontiff each day to handle the business of the Vatican, and his position might be compared roughly with that of a White House chief of staff. He reports directly to the Cardinal Secretary of State.

In January 2014 Becciu called on former vice-commander of the Swiss guard to give names regarding claims that a powerful ‘gay lobby’ existed in the Vatican. Retired Swiss Guard Commander Elmar Mäder told Swiss weekly Sonntag that a gay network existed in the Roman Curia, insinuating that it posed a “security risk” to the Pope.[3]

References

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Apostolic Nuncio to Angola
15 October 2001 – 23 July 2009
Succeeded by
Novatus Rugambwa
Preceded by Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba
23 July 2009 – 10 May 2011
Succeeded by
Bruno Musarò
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State
10 May 2011–present
Incumbent