Francesco Marmaggi
Encyclopedia
Francesco Marmaggi was a Cardinal
of the Roman Catholic Church
who served as Prefect
of the Congregation of the Council
and, earlier, as Nuncio
in Romania
, Czechoslovakia
and Poland, as well as being a special envoy to Turkey
.
at a time when the Kingdom of Italy
was just coming into being. He was educated at the Pontifical Roman Seminary
in the city, earning a doctorate
s in Philosophy
and Theology
.
Marmaggi was ordained
in Rome, on April 14, 1900, and afterwards worked in pastoral care
in the Diocese of Rome
, as well as being a faculty member of the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum Sant'Apollinare, and an official in the Apostolic Penitentiary
until 1904. He was created Privy Chamberlain
of Pope
Pius X
on November 15, 1907, and reappointed on September 7, 1914. Francesco Marmaggi was raised to the level of Domestic Prelate on June 2, 1915.
Pope Benedict XV
appointed him titular archbishop of Hadrianopolis in Haemimonto (Latin
for Edirne
) and first Nuncio
to the Kingdom of Romania
on September 1, 1920. The appointment followed a long period of negotiations between Romania and the Papacy, and was replicated by the appointment of Dimitrie Pennescu as first Ambassador of Romania to the Holy See (see Roman Catholicism in Romania
). He was consecrated on September 26 by Pietro Gasparri
, Cardinal Secretary of State
. (Luigi Maglione was consecrated in the same ceremony). Marmaggi represented the Pope at the 1922 coronation of Ferdinand I
as King
of Greater Romania
, a ceremony which took place in Alba Iulia
.
Marmaggi was named extraordinary envoy to Turkey after the Greco-Turkish War
. This mission was evidence of Pius XI
's decision to upgrade the Papacy's diplomatic relations, a policy outlined in the Pacem, Dei Munus Pulcherrimum encyclical
, parting with the tradition of French
protection for Middle East
ern Catholics. At the time, Pope Pius also sent Celso Constantini to establish contacts with the Beiyang Government
in China
.
Marmaggi was transferred to be Nuncio to Czechoslovakia
in 1923, but, five years later, he was recalled to Rome as a sign of protest. This came as a result of several disagreements between the authorities on both sides, sparked by the Czechoslovak decision to continue celebrating Den upálení mistra Jana Husa, a festival honoring the 14th century thinker Jan Hus
, who influenced Protestant
dogma and was burned at the stake
as a heretic
(see Public holidays in the Czech Republic
, Roman Catholicism in the Czech Republic
).
Francesco Marmaggi left Prague
on July 6, 1925, after repeatedly warning President Tomáš Masaryk
, Premier Antonín Švehla
and Foreign Minister Edvard Beneš
not to attend the ceremonies, whereas the three officials reputedly argued that they were going to take part in the festival as private persons. Marmaggi's protest was echoed by the Catholic People's Party, who issued criticism of President Masaryk. As a result of his departure, Czechoslovakia cut off diplomatic links with the Papacy.
Marmaggi then served as Nuncio to Poland from 1928, until he was made Cardinal-Priest of Santa Cecilia
in the consistory
of December 16, 1935 by Pius XI. Two years later, alongside Cardinals Maglione, Pietro Boetto
, Nicola Canali
, Mario Nasalli Rocca di Corneliano
, Alberto di Jorio
, Giovanni Mercati
, Raffaele Rossi
, Carlo Salotti
, Federico Tedeschini
and Eugène-Gabriel-Gervais-Laurent Tisserant
, he sat on a papal commission analyzing the situation created by the Spanish Civil War
and the implications the conflict had on the Roman Catholic clergy
in Spain
. According to historian Vicente Cárcel Ortí, the body was created after Pope Pius was alarmed by Nationalist leader Francisco Franco
's decision to overturn Republican
reforms (at a time when the zone controlled by Nationalist forces was much smaller than the Republican area).
Cardinal Marmaggi also participated in the conclave of 1939
that elected Pius XII
. He left Poland in March 1939, when he was appointed cardinal and Prefect
of the Congregation of the Council
. Reportedly, he wanted as his successor Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli
, the Nuncio to Turkey and Greece
and future Pope John XXIII, but his request went unanswered.
Marmaggi was Prefect until his death in 1949. A street in Rome was named in his honor (Via Cardinale Marmaggi).
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
who served as Prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
of the Congregation of the Council
Congregation for the Clergy
The Sacred Congregation for the Clergy is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders...
and, earlier, as Nuncio
Nuncio
Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin word, Nuntius, meaning "envoy." This article addresses this title as well as derived similar titles, all within the structure of the Roman Catholic Church...
in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Czechoslovakia
First Republic of Czechoslovakia
-Independence:The Czechoslovak declaration of independence was published by the Czechoslovak National Council, signed by Masaryk, Štefánik and Beneš on October 18, 1918 in Paris, and proclaimed on October 28 in Prague...
and Poland, as well as being a special envoy to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Biography
Francesco Marmaggi was born in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
at a time when the Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
was just coming into being. He was educated at the Pontifical Roman Seminary
Pontifical Roman Seminary
The Pontifical Roman Seminary is a seminary in Rome, Italy located at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.Its teachings are based on the Roman Pontifical.-History:...
in the city, earning a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
s in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
.
Marmaggi was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in Rome, on April 14, 1900, and afterwards worked in pastoral care
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is the ministry of care and counseling provided by pastors, chaplains and other religious leaders to members of their church or congregation, or to persons of all faiths and none within institutional settings. This can range anywhere from home visitation to formal counseling provided...
in the Diocese of Rome
Diocese of Rome
The Diocese of Rome is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Rome, Italy. The bishop of Rome is the Pope, who is the Supreme Pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church...
, as well as being a faculty member of the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum Sant'Apollinare, and an official in the Apostolic Penitentiary
Apostolic Penitentiary
The Apostolic Penitentiary, formerly called the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia. The Apostolic Penitentiary is chiefly a tribunal of mercy, responsible for issues relating to the forgiveness of sins in the Catholic Church.The...
until 1904. He was created Privy Chamberlain
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
of Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
Pius X
Pope Pius X
Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox...
on November 15, 1907, and reappointed on September 7, 1914. Francesco Marmaggi was raised to the level of Domestic Prelate on June 2, 1915.
Pope Benedict XV
Pope Benedict XV
Pope Benedict XV , born Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa, reigned as Pope from 3 September 1914 to 22 January 1922...
appointed him titular archbishop of Hadrianopolis in Haemimonto (Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for Edirne
Edirne
Edirne is a city in Eastern Thrace, the northwestern part of Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne served as the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1365 to 1453, before Constantinople became the empire's new capital. At present, Edirne is the capital of the Edirne...
) and first Nuncio
Nuncio
Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin word, Nuntius, meaning "envoy." This article addresses this title as well as derived similar titles, all within the structure of the Roman Catholic Church...
to the Kingdom of Romania
Kingdom of Romania
The Kingdom of Romania was the Romanian state based on a form of parliamentary monarchy between 13 March 1881 and 30 December 1947, specified by the first three Constitutions of Romania...
on September 1, 1920. The appointment followed a long period of negotiations between Romania and the Papacy, and was replicated by the appointment of Dimitrie Pennescu as first Ambassador of Romania to the Holy See (see Roman Catholicism in Romania
Roman Catholicism in Romania
The Roman Catholic Church in Romania is a Latin Rite Christian church, part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and Curia in Rome. Its administration is centered in Bucharest, and comprises two archdioceses and four other dioceses...
). He was consecrated on September 26 by Pietro Gasparri
Pietro Gasparri
Pietro Gasparri was a Roman Catholic archbishop, diplomat and politician in the Roman Curia and signatory of the Lateran Pacts.- Biography :...
, Cardinal Secretary of State
Cardinal Secretary of State
The Cardinal Secretary of State—officially Secretary of State of His Holiness The Pope—presides over the Holy See, usually known as the "Vatican", Secretariat of State, which is the oldest and most important dicastery of the Roman Curia...
. (Luigi Maglione was consecrated in the same ceremony). Marmaggi represented the Pope at the 1922 coronation of Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I of Romania
Ferdinand was the King of Romania from 10 October 1914 until his death.-Early life:Born in Sigmaringen in southwestern Germany, the Roman Catholic Prince Ferdinand Viktor Albert Meinrad of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, later simply of Hohenzollern, was a son of Leopold, Prince of...
as King
King of Romania
King of the Romanians , rather than King of Romania , was the official title of the ruler of the Kingdom of Romania from 1881 until 1947, when Romania was proclaimed a republic....
of Greater Romania
Greater Romania
The Greater Romania generally refers to the territory of Romania in the years between the First World War and the Second World War, the largest geographical extent of Romania up to that time and its largest peacetime extent ever ; more precisely, it refers to the territory of the Kingdom of...
, a ceremony which took place in Alba Iulia
Alba Iulia
Alba Iulia is a city in Alba County, Transylvania, Romania with a population of 66,747, located on the Mureş River. Since the High Middle Ages, the city has been the seat of Transylvania's Roman Catholic diocese. Between 1541 and 1690 it was the capital of the Principality of Transylvania...
.
Marmaggi was named extraordinary envoy to Turkey after the Greco-Turkish War
Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)
The Greco–Turkish War of 1919–1922, known as the Western Front of the Turkish War of Independence in Turkey and the Asia Minor Campaign or the Asia Minor Catastrophe in Greece, was a series of military events occurring during the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire after World War I between May...
. This mission was evidence of Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
's decision to upgrade the Papacy's diplomatic relations, a policy outlined in the Pacem, Dei Munus Pulcherrimum encyclical
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
, parting with the tradition of French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
protection for Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
ern Catholics. At the time, Pope Pius also sent Celso Constantini to establish contacts with the Beiyang Government
Beiyang Government
The Beiyang government or warlord government collectively refers to a series of military regimes that ruled from Beijing from 1912 to 1928 at Zhongnanhai. It was internationally recognized as the legitimate Government of the Republic of China. The name comes from the Beiyang Army which dominated...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Marmaggi was transferred to be Nuncio to Czechoslovakia
First Republic of Czechoslovakia
-Independence:The Czechoslovak declaration of independence was published by the Czechoslovak National Council, signed by Masaryk, Štefánik and Beneš on October 18, 1918 in Paris, and proclaimed on October 28 in Prague...
in 1923, but, five years later, he was recalled to Rome as a sign of protest. This came as a result of several disagreements between the authorities on both sides, sparked by the Czechoslovak decision to continue celebrating Den upálení mistra Jana Husa, a festival honoring the 14th century thinker Jan Hus
Jan Hus
Jan Hus , often referred to in English as John Hus or John Huss, was a Czech priest, philosopher, reformer, and master at Charles University in Prague...
, who influenced Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
dogma and was burned at the stake
Execution by burning
Death by burning is death brought about by combustion. As a form of capital punishment, burning has a long history as a method in crimes such as treason, heresy, and witchcraft....
as a heretic
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
(see Public holidays in the Czech Republic
Public holidays in the Czech Republic
Public holidays in the Czech RepublicDateEnglish NameCzech NameRemarks1 January Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State; New Year's DayDen obnovy samostatného českého státu; Nový rokThe independent Czech Republic was created in 1993, after dissolution of Czechoslovakia.March, AprilEaster...
, Roman Catholicism in the Czech Republic
Roman Catholicism in the Czech Republic
The Roman Catholic Church in the Czech Republic is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, curia in Rome, and the Conference of Czech of Bishops....
).
Francesco Marmaggi left Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
on July 6, 1925, after repeatedly warning President Tomáš Masaryk
Tomáš Masaryk
Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk , sometimes called Thomas Masaryk in English, was an Austro-Hungarian and Czechoslovak politician, sociologist and philosopher, who as an eager advocate of Czechoslovak independence during World War I became the founder and first President of Czechoslovakia, also was...
, Premier Antonín Švehla
Antonín Švehla
Antonín Švehla was a Czechoslovakian politician. He served three terms as the prime minister of Czechoslovakia. He is regarded as one of the most important political figures of the First Czechoslovak Republic; he was the leader of the Agrarian Party, which was dominant within the Pětka, which was...
and Foreign Minister Edvard Beneš
Edvard Beneš
Edvard Beneš was a leader of the Czechoslovak independence movement, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the second President of Czechoslovakia. He was known to be a skilled diplomat.- Youth :...
not to attend the ceremonies, whereas the three officials reputedly argued that they were going to take part in the festival as private persons. Marmaggi's protest was echoed by the Catholic People's Party, who issued criticism of President Masaryk. As a result of his departure, Czechoslovakia cut off diplomatic links with the Papacy.
Marmaggi then served as Nuncio to Poland from 1928, until he was made Cardinal-Priest of Santa Cecilia
Santa Cecilia
Santa Cecilia is a municipality located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 118 inhabitants....
in the consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
of December 16, 1935 by Pius XI. Two years later, alongside Cardinals Maglione, Pietro Boetto
Pietro Boetto
Pietro Boetto, SJ was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Genoa from 1938 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1935.-Biography:...
, Nicola Canali
Nicola Canali
Nicola Canali was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State from 1939 and as Major Penitentiary from 1941 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1935...
, Mario Nasalli Rocca di Corneliano
Mario Nasalli Rocca di Corneliano
Mario Nasalli Rocca di Corneliano was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Apostolic Palace from 1967 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1969.-Biography:...
, Alberto di Jorio
Alberto di Jorio
Alberto di Jorio , was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and for many years along with the layman Bernadino Nogara the powerhouse behind the growing wealth of the Vatican and the Istituto per le Opere di Religione .-Early life:From his earliest years di Jorio was destined for a career in the...
, Giovanni Mercati
Giovanni Mercati
Giovanni Mercati was an Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archivist of the Vatican Secret Archives and Librarian of the Vatican Library from 1936 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1936.- Biography :Giovanni Mercati was born in Villa Gaida, Reggio...
, Raffaele Rossi
Raffaele Rossi
Raffaele Carlo Rossi, OCD was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Secretary of Sacred Consistorial Congregation in the Roman Curia from 1930 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1930.-Biography:Born in Pisa, Raffaele Rossi entered the Discalced...
, Carlo Salotti
Carlo Salotti
Carlo Salotti was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation of Rites from 1938 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in pectore in 1933.-Biography:...
, Federico Tedeschini
Federico Tedeschini
Federico Tedeschini was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Papal Datary in the Roman Curia from 1938 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1935 by Pope Pius XI.-Biography:...
and Eugène-Gabriel-Gervais-Laurent Tisserant
Eugène-Gabriel-Gervais-Laurent Tisserant
Eugène Tisserant was a French Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Elevated to the cardinalate in 1936, Tisserant was a prominent and long-time member of the Roman Curia. He was also, for a time, Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre...
, he sat on a papal commission analyzing the situation created by the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
and the implications the conflict had on the Roman Catholic clergy
Roman Catholicism in Spain
The Spanish Catholic Church, part of the global Roman Catholic Church, is under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, curia in Rome, and the Conference of Spanish Bishops.-Statistics:...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. According to historian Vicente Cárcel Ortí, the body was created after Pope Pius was alarmed by Nationalist leader Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
's decision to overturn Republican
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
reforms (at a time when the zone controlled by Nationalist forces was much smaller than the Republican area).
Cardinal Marmaggi also participated in the conclave of 1939
Papal conclave, 1939
The Papal conclave of 1939 was convoked on the brink of World War II with the death of Pope Pius XI on 10 February that year in the Apostolic Palace. With all 62 living cardinals in attendance, the conclave to elect Pius' successor began on 1 March and ended a day later, on 2 March, after three...
that elected Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
. He left Poland in March 1939, when he was appointed cardinal and Prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
of the Congregation of the Council
Congregation for the Clergy
The Sacred Congregation for the Clergy is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders...
. Reportedly, he wanted as his successor Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
, the Nuncio to Turkey and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and future Pope John XXIII, but his request went unanswered.
Marmaggi was Prefect until his death in 1949. A street in Rome was named in his honor (Via Cardinale Marmaggi).