• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Cardinal Angelo Amato speaks with Father Jean-Pierre Schouppe during a conference on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Rome Nov. 15, 2018. The cardinal died in Rome at the age of 86. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Cardinal Angelo Amato, former Vatican official, dies at 86

January 2, 2025
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
Filed Under: News, Obituaries, World News

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Italian Cardinal Angelo Amato, who served as secretary of the Vatican’s doctrinal office and then as head of the then-Congregation for Saints’ Causes, died in Rome Dec. 31 at the age of 86.

In a telegram expressing his condolences to the late cardinal’s relatives and Salesian confreres, Pope Francis said the cardinal had dedicated himself with “kindness and generosity” to the Gospel and the church.

He was a “good and vigilant servant, faithful to his motto ‘Sufficit gratia mea,’ (My grace is sufficient),” the pope said.

He worked closely with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as a consultant, and then, in 2002, he was named an archbishop and secretary of the doctrinal office while it was still headed by the future Pope Benedict XVI.

The Salesian was one of the principal drafters of the congregation’s 2000 document, “Dominus Iesus” (“The Lord Jesus”), which underscored the unique and universal salvation offered by Christ and his church.

After his election in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI named the then-archbishop to be the prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes before elevating him to the College of Cardinals in 2010.

As prefect of the congregation, Cardinal Amato traveled the world presiding over beatification ceremonies until his retirement at the age of 80.

Born in Molfetta, Italy, in 1938, he was ordained a priest in 1967. He held a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Salesian University and a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

He taught dogmatic theology at the Salesian University, served as dean of the theology faculty there and was vice rector from 1997 to 2000.

He also served as secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology and as a consultant to the pontifical councils for Christian unity and for interreligious dialogue.

His death left the College of Cardinals with 252 cardinals, 139 of whom are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in a conclave.

Read More Obituaries

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

Father Herman Benedict Czaster, former Curley teacher, dies at 86

Sister Ann Belz dies at 88

Surgeon and Men’s Fellowship leader, Dr. Joseph Orlando, remembered for his compassion

Sister Joan Minella, former principal and pastoral life director, dies

Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Carol Glatz

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Hunt Valley parishioner recalls her former student – a future pope

  • Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

  • Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

  • Loyola University Maryland graduate ordained Jesuit priest

| Latest Local News |

Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith

Lay associates journey with the Oblate Sisters of Providence

Father Robert Wojsław dies at 52

Scopes Monkey Trial ignited century-long debate on evolution and belief 

Deacon Gary Elliott Dumer Jr., active in men’s ministry, dies

| Latest World News |

When it comes to serving students with disabilities, how are Catholic schools doing?

NBC’s Tom Llamas says Catholic education deepened his faith, pushed him to always do his best

Tolton ambassadors renew goal to promote, pray for famed Black priest’s canonization

Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack

Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • A sower of light in the shadows
  • When it comes to serving students with disabilities, how are Catholic schools doing?
  • Tolton ambassadors renew goal to promote, pray for famed Black priest’s canonization
  • Creation, human and divine
  • NBC’s Tom Llamas says Catholic education deepened his faith, pushed him to always do his best
  • Quo Vadis attracts biggest crowd ever, promotes camaraderie and faith
  • Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack
  • Proof of life for kidnapped Nigerian priest received by Alaska diocese where he served
  • Filled with hope, Christians know cries of the innocent will be heard, pope says

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en