Edoardo Rovida

Contents

Edoardo Rovida (26 August 1927 – 26 May 2026) was an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church who worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See from 1953 to 2002.

Early years and priesthood

Edoardo Rovida was born on 26 August 1927 in Alessandria, Italy, and was ordained a priest on 29 June 1950.[1]

Diplomatic career

Rovida completed the course of studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 1953.[2]

He became known as a beneficiary of the patronage of Giovanni Benelli, who as substitute of the Secretariat of State, dominated the department from 1967 to 1977.[3] His early assignments in the diplomatic service of the Holy See included a stint in Cuba during the early years of the Cuban Revolution.[4][5]

On 31 July 1971, Pope Paul VI appointed Rovida as titular archbishop of Tauromenium and apostolic nuncio to Panama.[6] He received his episcopal consecration on 10 October[1] from Cardinal Jean-Marie Villot, the Secretary of State.

On 13 August 1977, Rovida was appointed Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Zaire[7] and on 7 March 1981 was named Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva.

On 26 January 1985, Rovida was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Switzerland[8] and on 7 March 1987 Apostolic Nuncio to Liechtenstein.

On 15 March 1993, Rovida was appointed apostolic nuncio to Portugal.[9][10]

Rovida's service as nuncio to Portugal ended with the appointment of his successor, Alfio Rapisarda, on 12 October 2002,[11] but maintained the title nuncio.[12]

Death

Rovida died in Asti on 26 May 2026, at the age of 98.[13]

References

  1. 1.[1.2]"I Vescovi di Origine Alessandrina". Diocese of Alessandria (in Italian). Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  2. 2."Pontificia Accademia Ecclesiastica" (in Italian). Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  3. 3.Reese, Thomas (1998). Inside the Vatican. Harvard University Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-674-41802-8.
  4. 4.Uría Rodríguez, Ignacio (2012). Iglesia y revolución en Cuba: Enrique Pérez Serantes (1883-1968), el obispo que salvó a Fidel Castro (in Spanish). Encuentro. pp. 443–5. ISBN 978-84-9920-998-2. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  5. 5.His role as secretary of the nunciature in Havana is documented in 1958 and 1960.
  6. 6.Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXIII. 1971. pp. 707, 718. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  7. 7.Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXIX. 1977. p. 619. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  8. 8.Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXVII. 1985. p. 181. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  9. 9."Vescovi di Sicilia". Catholic Church in Sicily. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  10. 10.Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). Vol. LXXXV. 1993. p. 395. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  11. 11."Rinunce e Nomine, 12.10.2002" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  12. 12."Firma del Concordato tra la Santa Sede e la Repubblica Portughese, 18.05.2004" (Press release) (in Italian). 18 May 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  13. 13."Alessandria, addio al vescovo Rovida: aveva 98 anni" (Press release) (in Italian). 27 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.