Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, was born on August 1, 1916 in Rome. He was ordained priest on February 3, 1940 and spent the greater part of his life ministering to the sick and the poor.

In 1945, he acted as National Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Men’s Catholic Action. Thereafter, from 1947 to 1954 he also served as Master of Pontifical Ceremonies. On June 27, 1956 he was elected titular Bishop of Messene and received episcopal ordination on July 29, 1956. He was also called to provide spiritual assistance in the clinics and hospitals of Rome. He also served as Auxiliary Bishop of Rome from January 1977 until February 1985.

On February 11, 1985 he promoted Archbishop and was nominated Pro-President of the Pontifical Commission for the Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. In 1988 he became President of the same Commission, renamed Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers.

He is the author of many written works and has participated in many international conferences regarding a variety of health issues.

In July 1991, he began to work on the realization of a center to assist the terminally ill in Moscow.

President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, October 31, 1996.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of Santo Spirito in Sassia on June 28, 1991, and was made Cardinal-Priest on February 26, 2002.