Paolo Romeo was born in Acireale, Sicily, on 20 February 1938 and ordained a priest for his home diocese on 18 March 1961. He joined the Holy See's diplomatic service and was appointed titular Archbishop of Vulturia and apostolic nuncio to Haiti on 17 December 1983, consecrated by John Paul II on 6 January 1984. He went on to represent the Holy See in Colombia (1990–99) and Canada (1999–2001), and from 17 April 2001 served as nuncio to Italy and San Marino — the Vatican's ambassador to its own backyard.
On 19 December 2006 Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Palermo (installed 10 February 2007), where he also presided over the Sicilian bishops' conference. Benedict XVI created him a cardinal on 20 November 2010, with the title of Santa Maria Odigitria dei Siciliani; he voted in the 2013 conclave. He also served as apostolic administrator of the Byzantine eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi (2013–15). Francis accepted his resignation on 27 October 2015. His motto is Caritas omnia sustinet — “charity endures all things.”
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop of Palermo
Nine years in Sicily's historic see.
Four nunciatures
Haiti, Colombia, Canada — then Italy itself.
President of Sicily's bishops
Led the island's episcopal conference.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.