Pope remembers late Cardinal Menichelli as “dear brother”

By Kielce Gussie

After learning of the death of Cardinal Edoardo Menichelli, Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Archbishop Angelo Spina of the Archdiocese of Ancona-Osimo, Italy—where the Cardinal served from 2004-2017.

The Pope expressed his heartfelt condolences for the loss that has impacted the “ecclesial community, as well as that of Chieti-Vasto, who had him as a zealous pastor, and also the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche, where he served as a devoted priest.”

Remembering Cardinal Menichelli, Pope Leo described him as a “dear brother who served the Church and the Holy See with dedication.” He offered up prayers to God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to welcome the cardinal “into the heavenly Jerusalem.”

Closing the message, the Pope imparted his Apostolic Blessing to Cardinal Menichelli’s family, those who cared for him, and everyone who will attend the funeral.

Who was Cardinal Menichelli?

Born in San Severino Marche, Italy, in 1939, Menichelli was ordained a priest on 3 July 1965. He was called to Rome in 1968, serving as an official at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura until 1991. From 1992-1994, he worked in the secretariat of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches.

In 1994, he received his episcopal ordination and was appointed to the Archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto. He was then assigned to the Archdiocese of Ancona-Osimo in 2004. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 15 February 2015 with the titular church of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at Tor Fiorenza.

From 14 July 2017, Cardinal Menichelli was the Archbishop Emeritus of Ancona-Osimo.