Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, was born on 17 April 1940 in Poli, Italy. He was ordained a priest on 19 July 1964 and obtained a law doctorate in utroque iure.

After completing his studies in Rome, Cardinal Vallini began teaching canon law in Naples. In 1971 he was called back to Rome to be a lecturer on ecclesiastical public law at the Pontifical Lateran University. This work required study and research to bring the discipline into line with the Council. The Cardinal dedicated himself to it entirely, without neglecting his part-time teaching and parish work in Naples.

In 1978 he was appointed rector of the major seminary in Naples. On 23 March 1989 he was appointed titular Bishop of Tortibulum and Auxiliary Bishop of Naples, and received episcopal ordination on 13 May.

On 13 November 1999 he was appointed Suburbicarian Bishop of Albano.

On 27 May 2004, Cardinal Vallini was appointed Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and raised to the dignity of Archbishop.

He is also President of the Court of Appeal of Vatican City State.

On 15 September 2007, he was nominated President of the Commission for Lawyers.

Created and proclaimed cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 March 2006, of the Deaconry of San Pier Damiani ai Monti di San Paolo (St. Peter Damian ai Monti di San Paolo).

Member of:

• Congregation: for the Causes of Saints; for Bishops; for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; for the Evangelization of Peoples;
• Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts;
• Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

04:50 am | Archbishops Nienstedt and Chaput defend CCHD as criticisms continue

01:46 am | Holy Father reminds the hearing impaired they are also recipients of the Gospel

09:07 pm | CNN poll finds 61% of Americans oppose government-funded abortions

08:02 pm | USCCB: Senate health care bill 'morally unacceptable'

05:54 pm | Mexican expert: Don’t believe false 'end of world' Mayan prophecies

Cardinal Trujillo, President of Pontifical Council for the Family, passes away

Archbishop Burke named to Congregation for Bishops

Archbishop Burke appointed to head Vatican’s ‘bar association’

Archbishop Burke appointed to head Vatican ‘Supreme Court’