Vatican City: Cardinal Mario Zenari has concluded his long and demanding service as Apostolic Nuncio to Syria after reaching the age of 80, bringing to a close nearly seventeen years of uninterrupted diplomatic and pastoral mission in one of the world’s most conflict-ridden regions. His resignation, submitted in accordance with canonical norms, was announced by the Holy See Press Office on Monday.
Cardinal Zenari has served as the Pope’s representative in Damascus since 2008, a tenure marked by war, humanitarian catastrophe, political upheaval, and natural disasters. Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, and later confirmed repeatedly by Pope Francis, he became a familiar and trusted presence for Syrians enduring years of violence, poverty, terrorism, sanctions, and displacement.
In 2021, upon reaching 75 the customary age for resignation Cardinal Zenari offered to step down from his post. Pope Francis, however, declined the request, asking him to continue his mission for an indefinite period. The decision was widely interpreted as a sign of the Pope’s closeness to the suffering Syrian people and his desire for continuity during a prolonged crisis.
For Cardinal Zenari, the extension was never merely administrative. He viewed it as an affirmation of the Church’s steadfast presence in a land he often described as “martyred,” where hope had been battered by years of relentless conflict and deprivation. His role went far beyond diplomacy, evolving into a vocation of accompaniment, consolation, and witness.
Born in Rosegaferro di Villafranca di Verona, Cardinal Zenari was trained at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and quickly gained experience in some of the world’s most fragile regions. Before arriving in Syria, he served as Apostolic Nuncio in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Burkina Faso, and later Sri Lanka earning the self-described title of a “war veteran” of Vatican diplomacy.
When he arrived in Damascus in 2008, Syria was still enjoying relative stability, with a growing tourism sector and cautious economic openness. That reality changed dramatically in 2011 with the outbreak of civil war, followed by widespread destruction, the rise of extremist violence, mass displacement, and deepening humanitarian crises. Throughout it all, Zenari remained at his post.
Over the years, Cardinal Zenari became known for his calm but piercing assessments of the Syrian tragedy. He consistently spoke of a “humanitarian catastrophe,” warning that an entire generation especially the youth was losing hope. He did not hesitate to draw attention to the crushing effects of international sanctions on ordinary citizens, the spread of endemic poverty, and the daily indignities faced by families queuing for hours for bread or fuel.
His testimony was never rhetorical. It was grounded in lived experience bombardments, shortages, grief, and fear. In 2023, after a devastating earthquake struck northern Syria, he personally drove from Damascus to Aleppo, carrying barrels of scarce diesel fuel to assist emergency efforts, embodying the Church’s call to practical solidarity.
In 2016, Pope Francis named Mario Zenari a cardinal, an extraordinary decision that broke with longstanding diplomatic custom. Rarely are papal nuncios elevated to the cardinalate while remaining in active diplomatic service. Zenari himself described the move simply as “a gesture of love” both for the suffering Syrian people and for diplomacy committed to peace.
The red biretta, he noted, gave added weight to the Vatican’s presence in Syria and strengthened efforts toward dialogue and reconciliation. More importantly, it ensured his continued presence in Damascus. “How could a Pope’s representative be credible if he fled from where he is most needed?” he once remarked, describing his mission as a privilege and a profound human experience.
Cardinal Zenari’s extended stay also allowed him to witness pivotal political developments, including the dramatic changes in Syria’s leadership in late 2024, when Bashar al-Assad’s government was overthrown and a new administration under Ahmad al-Shara emerged. Even amid uncertainty, Zenari maintained a posture of cautious hope, always prioritizing the dignity and safety of civilians.
With his resignation now accepted, Cardinal Mario Zenari brings to a close one of the longest and most demanding nuncioships in recent Church history. His departure marks the end of an era defined by fidelity, courage, and quiet endurance qualities that made him not just a diplomat, but a shepherd alongside a suffering people.
As Syria continues its uncertain journey toward healing and reconstruction, Cardinal Zenari’s legacy remains deeply etched in the collective memory of a nation and a Church that found in him a constant, compassionate presence amid years of darkness.