11 Facts About Ersilio Tonini

Ersilio Tonini was an Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church.

Ersilio Tonini served as Archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia from 1975 to 1990, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1994.

When Cardinal Paul Augustin Mayer died on 30 April 2010, Cardinal Tonini became the oldest living cardinal.

Ersilio Tonini died on 28 July 2013, a week after his 99th birthday.

Ersilio Tonini was born in San Giorgio Piacentino, and studied at the seminary in Piacenza.

Ersilio Tonini was ordained to the priesthood on 18 April 1937, and then served as vice-rector of the Piacenza seminary until 1939.

Ersilio Tonini furthered his studies at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, obtaining his degrees in civil and canon law, from 1939 to 1943.

Ersilio Tonini was raised to the rank of Privy Chamberlain supernumerary on 6 November 1959.

On 28 April 1969, Ersilio Tonini was appointed Bishop of Macerata-Tolentino by Pope Paul VI.

Ersilio Tonini was later named both Archbishop of Ravenna and Bishop of Cervia on 22 November 1975.

Ersilio Tonini preached the Lenten spiritual exercises to the Pope and members of the Roman Curia in February 1991 on the theme of "the Church of hope for today".