Archbishop of Palermo; Vatican nuncio to Canada and Italy
Paolo Romeo was an Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church and archbishop emeritus of Palermo. A Vatican diplomat for four decades, he served as apostolic nuncio to Haiti, Colombia, Canada and Italy before leading the Archdiocese of Palermo from 2006. He died in Catania on 25 October 2026, aged 88.
Born in Acireale, Sicily, on 20 February 1938, he was ordained a priest in 1961 and was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
Published 25 October 2026
Cardinal Paolo Romeo, archbishop emeritus of Palermo and former Vatican nuncio, dies at 88
The Sicilian-born cardinal served as the Pope's ambassador in Haiti, Colombia, Canada and Italy before leading the Church in Palermo. He died in hospital in Catania after a long illness.
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