Sergio Pignedoli
Catholic cardinal
Died when: 70 years 11 days (840 months)Star Sign: Gemini
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Sergio Pignedoli (4 June 1910 – 15 June 1980) was a prominent Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and a top candidate for pope.
He served as auxiliary bishop to Pope Paul VI when he was archbishop of Milan, and as President of the Secretariat for Non-Christians from 1973 to 1980.
He was elevated to the cardinalate in 1973.A towering figure in the Roman Catholic Church, cardinal Sergio Pignedoli was Pope Paul VI closest ally and confidant, and was widely expected to succeed him.
Following the death of Paul VI in 1978, cardinal Sergio Pignedoli was the leading contender to be elected pope.He was featured in numerous publications around the world, including on the covers of Time and Newsweek.
In the August 1978 conclave, Pignedoli, the progressive candidate, received nearly half of the votes of the cardinal electors.His main opponent was the conservative cardinal Giuseppe Siri of Genova, though since both of these legendary cardinals were unable to obtain a majority, a compromise candidate emerged, and Albino Luciani was elected as Pope John Paul I.
Thirty three days later, following the sudden death of John Paul I, a second conclave convened in October 1978.Pignedoli was again the leading contender for the papacy, but ultimately Karol Józef Wojtyła of Poland was elected as Pope John Paul II.
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