Pope Leo XIV Mourns Passing of Cardinal Ruini, a "Wise Brother"
Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep condolences following the death of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Vicar General Emeritus of the Diocese of Rome and a towering figure in the Italian Church. Cardinal Ruini passed away on Tuesday, June 16, at the age of 95 after a period of declining health.
In a telegram addressed to Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the current Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome, the Pope shared his "closeness and condolences," offering gratitude to God for the "gift of this esteemed man of the Church."
A Legacy of Faith and Intellect
Pope Leo remembered Cardinal Ruini as an "experienced and wise brother," praising his:
Deep faith and keen intelligence
Far-sighted vision and self-sacrifice in serving the Gospel
Fruitful leadership within the Italian Bishops’ conference
Productive dialogue with the world of culture
The Pope concluded his message by praying for Cardinal Ruini’s entry into heaven and imparting his apostolic blessing upon those mourning, offering a special note of gratitude to the caregivers who attended to the Cardinal devotedly in his final days.
A Pillar of the Italian Church
Born in Sassuolo, Italy, in 1931 and ordained in 1954, Cardinal Ruini dedicated decades to ecclesiastical leadership.
| Period | Role / Milestone |
| 1983–1986 | Auxiliary Bishop of Reggio Emilia |
| 1991 | Created Cardinal by Pope John Paul II |
| 1991–2007 | President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference |
| 1991–2008 | Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome & Archpriest of St. John Lateran |
Following his passing, the Diocese of Rome, current President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, and numerous Italian Catholic organizations issued statements honoring his influential legacy.
Funeral Arrangements
Cardinal Ruini’s health had declined significantly in recent months, requiring daily at-home care following hospitalizations for a heart attack in 2024 and kidney failure in 2025.
His funeral will be held on Thursday, June 18, at 4:30 p.m. at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.
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