10 Facts About Sergio Pignedoli

Sergio Pignedoli was a prominent Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and a top candidate for pope.

Sergio Pignedoli served as auxiliary bishop to Pope Paul VI when he was archbishop of Milan, and as President of the Secretariat for Non-Christians from 1973 to 1980.

Sergio Pignedoli was considered by many as a papabile in both of those conclaves.

Sergio Pignedoli then served as vice-rector of the seminary in Reggio Emilia until 1934, at which time he became a chaplain at the Catholic University of Milan.

Sergio Pignedoli received episcopal consecration on 11 February 1951 from Cardinal Adeodato Giovanni Piazza, OCD, with Archbishop Valerio Valeri and Bishop Beniamino Socche serving as co-consecrators, in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

On 15 April 1955, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Milan, where he remained until 23 September 1960; during his time in Milan, Sergio Pignedoli established a deep friendship with Giovanni Battista Montini that continued into the latter's rise to the papacy.

Sergio Pignedoli was created Cardinal-Deacon of S Giorgio al Velabro by Paul VI in the consistory of 5 March 1973.

Sergio Pignedoli established close friendships with Shocho Hagami, a great acharya of Tendai Buddhism and one of the most prominent Japanese Buddhists of the 20th century, who played a leading role in promoting mutual respect and reconciliation among three monotheistic religions from an Asian side.

Sergio Pignedoli was featured in numerous publications around the world, including on the covers of Time and Newsweek.

Sergio Pignedoli died from a pulmonary embolism during a visit to his native Reggio Emilia, at age 70.