Cardinal Raffaele Farina was born in Italy in 1933 and ordained as a priest in 1958. He served as Prefect of the Vatican Library from 1997 to 2007 and was ordained as a bishop in 2006. In 2007, he was named Librarian and Archivist of the Church and created a cardinal. He retired in 2012 after a career as a professor, editor, and seminary rector. With his 80th birthday, the College of Cardinals had 201 members, with 110 under 80 and eligible to vote in a future papal conclave.

1. Cardinal
Raffaele
Farina

2. Cardinal Farina’s Stats
Born on September
24, 1933, in Italy.
Ordained a priest
on July 1, 1958.
Named Prefect of the
Vatican Library on
May 25, 1997.

3. Cardinal Farina’s Stats
Ordained a bishop on
December 16, 2006.
Named Librarian and
Archivist of the
Church in 2007.
Created a cardinal on
November 24, 2007.
Retired in 2012.

4. Cardinal Farina’s Facts
He is a member of the Salesian order.
Spent much of his career as a professor,
editor, seminary rector, and archivist.
Motto: Dominus Spes Nostra: “The Lord, our hope.”
Revealed that Cardinal Ratzinger asked JPII to make
him archivist and librarian when he turned 70. JPII
obviously denied the request.
Named to a five-person advisory commission by Pope
Francis to investigate the Vatican Bank.

5. College of Cardinals
With the 80th
birthday of
Cardinal Farina,
the College of
Cardinals now
has 201 members,
110 of which are under the age of 80 and thus
eligible to vote in a papal conclave.
Cardinal Farina voted in the 2013
conclave that elected Pope Francis.