CAMILLO CARDINAL RUINI

Presiding at the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) on Friday evening 18 August 2000 is the Cardinal Vicar of the Diocese of Rome, Camillo Cardinal Ruini. 

Born 19 February 1931 at Sassuolo, in the diocese of Reggia Emilia-Guastalla, Cardinal Ruini is responsible for the daily pastoral care of the Roman See on behalf of the Bishop of Rome, Pope John Paul II. Ordained to the sacred priesthood on 8 December 1954, he did parish work and taught in seminaries until he was made an auxiliary bishop of his home diocese in 1983. From 1986 to 1991 he also served as Secretary-General of the Italian Bishops Conference. Appointed an archbishop and Pro-Vicar General of Rome on 17 January 1991, he was created a Cardinal by the present pontiff on 28 June of that year. 

In addition to being the Vicar General of Rome, Cardinal Ruini is the Archpriest of the Patriarchal Lateran Basilica (the cathedral of Rome) and the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University, which also includes the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family. His titular church is the Church of Santa Agnese fuori mura (St. Agnes outside the Walls). Located on the Via Nomentana, it is built over the catacombs containing the remains of the Virgin-Martyr.