Giovanni Coppa

Giovanni Coppa (9 November 1925 – 16 May 2016) was an Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as a diplomat of the Holy See, and was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2007.

His Eminence

Giovanni Coppa
Cardinal-Deacon of San Lino
Cardinal Coppa in 2012
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
Orders
Ordination2 January 1949
Consecration6 January 1980
by Pope John Paul II
Created cardinal24 November 2007
by Pope Benedict XVI
RankCardinal-Deacon
Personal details
Born(1925-11-09)9 November 1925
Alba, Italy
Died16 May 2016(2016-05-16) (aged 90)
NationalityItalian
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
Previous post(s)
  • Titular Archbishop of Serta (1980–2007)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to Czechoslovakia (1990–1993)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to Czech Republic (1993–2001)
  • Apostolic Nuncio to Slovakia (1993–1994)
Coat of armsGiovanni Coppa's coat of arms
Styles of
Giovanni Coppa
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal

Biography

Born in Alba on 9 November 1925, Giovanni Coppa attended the seminary there before studying at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, where he obtained his doctorate in modern letters with a dissertation entitled: "The iconography of the Most Holy Trinity from the origins to the 14th century". He was ordained to the priesthood on 2 January 1949, and then served as a diocesan delegate for the aspirants of Catholic Action. In 1952, he entered the Roman Curia in the Apostolic Chancery. Coppa became the director of the Rome-based monthly retreats of the nuns of the Holy Family of Spoleto in 1954, and began working in the Vatican Secretariat of State in 1958.

During the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), Coppa served as an expert for the Latin language. He was named an honorary canon of the chapter of St. Peter's Basilica in 1965, and assessor of the Secretariat of State on 19 November 1975. He was also Vice-Chaplain of the Palatine Guard of Honor and responsible of the Conference of Saint Vincent of Paul. When the Association of Saints Peter and Paul was instituted at the Holy See, the Secretariat of State named Coppa as its counselor. He wrote several works on Saint Ambrose, the Gospels, and the Fathers of the Church, and contributed to L'Osservatore Romano as well.

On 1 December 1979, Coppa was appointed delegate for the Secretariat of State's pontifical representations and titular archbishop of Serta. He received his episcopal consecration in Saint Peter's Basilica on 6 January 1980 from Pope John Paul II with Archbishop Eduardo Martínez Somalo and Bishop Ferdinando Maggioni serving as co-consecrators.

Coppa was named Apostolic Nuncio to Czechoslovakia on 30 June 1990, and then to both the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1 January 1993. He retired from his post in Slovakia on 2 March 1994 and from the Czech Republic on 19 May 2001.

Pope Benedict XVI created him Cardinal Deacon of S. Lino in the consistory of 24 November 2007.[1]

Coppa died in Rome on 16 May 2016.[2][3]

References
  1. "Titular Churches of the new Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church". The Holy See. Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations. 24 November 2007. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  2. "Cardinal Giovanni Coppa dies at age 90". Rome Reports. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  3. "E' morto il cardinale Giovanni Coppa, diplomatico e grande latinista. Aveva 91 anni". Faro di Roma (in Italian). 16 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
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