Silvano Maria Tomasi was born in Casoni di Mussolente, in the province of Vicenza, on 12 October 1940. A Scalabrinian Missionary of St Charles, he was ordained on 31 May 1965, took a doctorate in sociology at Fordham University, and taught at the City University of New York and the New School for Social Research (1970–74). He co-founded the Center for Migration Studies in New York and founded and edited the journal International Migration Review, then directed the US bishops' Office for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees (1983–87).
In 1989 John Paul II appointed him Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants; consecrated archbishop on 17 August 1996, he became nuncio to Ethiopia, Eritrea (1996) and Djibouti (2000). From 2003 to 2016 he was the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations and the WTO in Geneva — thirteen years as the Vatican's voice in multilateral diplomacy. On 1 November 2020 Francis named him Special Delegate to the Sovereign Order of Malta, tasked with its constitutional reform; he was created a cardinal on 28 November 2020, with the deaconry of San Nicola in Carcere. He says he feels “more American than anything else.” His motto is Cum libertate justitia.
Consequential Quotes
The Holy See can bring to the international context values that are useful for solving problems in the long run. It does not bring the power of trade or of a military arsenal, but it brings those moral values that resonate with the heart of every person.
I am one of those 40 million Americans who were born outside the United States, but at the same time are part of the makeup of the country.
Major Works & Initiatives
The Vatican's voice in Geneva
Thirteen years as Permanent Observer to the UN and WTO.
Special Delegate to the Order of Malta
Steered the Order's constitutional reform.
Migration scholarship
Co-founded the Center for Migration Studies; edited the field's journal.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.