Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo (Mungret 1950- 1951)

We recently received a communication from Michael Heneghan (Mungret Circa. 1948/51 and now residing in the US) with information that a past Mungret pupil of the Apostolic School in 1950-51, Giovanni Lajolo (then registered in the Roll Book John Lajolo) was created a Cardinal in the most recent Consistory on 24th Nov 2007.

Giovanni Lajolo, on leaving Mungret, returned to his native Novaro, Italy where he completed his secondary education. He entered Novaro Seminary to study for the priesthood and continued at the Pontifical Roman Seminary and the Pontifical Gregorian University earning a Licentiate in Philosophy in 1955 at age 20 and a Licentiate in Theology in 1959. Studying at the University of Munich he was awarded a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1965 in which year he was also ordained a Priest. Also in 1965 he entered the elite Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy to study diplomacy, leaving in 1968.

He worked in the Nunciature in Germany from 1970-1974. He was involved with negotiations in 1986 that led to the revised Concordat between Italy and the Holy See. He was consecrated Titular Archbishop of Caesarina in 1989 serving in the Roman Curia until appointed Papal Nuncio to Germany in 1995.

On 22nd June 2006 Pope Benedict XV1 appointed Archbishop Lajolo President of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State and President of the Governate of Vatican City. He was created a Cardinal-Deacon on 24th Nov 2007.

Recently on the 12th June 2008 in addition to his duties he was appointed by Pope Benedict as a member of the Congregation in the Roman Curia.

I am reliably informed that he has fond memories of his time at Mungret particularly learning English and some ominous Irish phrases. I am writing to His Eminence to congratulate him on his rise to prominence in the Hierarchy of the Church and his elevation to the College of Cardinals. We want him to know how pleased we are with the association there is through Mungret with him and the PPU. We wish him continued success long into the future and keep him in our prayers. We ask him that he also keeps us in his prayers.

Cecil Naughton.
President PPU