Section dedicated to the Patriarches

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Section dedicated to the Patriarches

Venice is an Apostolic See, and for this reason, the Bishop of the city has also the title of Patriarch. By an ancient tradition, St. Mark, Peter's follower and interpreter, is considered the Evangelist of the Venetian region, even before the foundation of Venice.

The current Patriarch is Cardinal Angelo Scola, appointed in 2002.
In Venice lives also the Patriarch Emeritus, Cardinal Marco Cè (1979-2002).

During the 20th century three Patriarches of Venice have been elected Pope:
- the Cardinal Giuseppe Sarto, Patriarch from 1893 to 1903, then Pope Pio X (1903-1914) and proclaimed Saint in 1954;
- the Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Patriarch from 1953 to 1958, then Pope Giovanni XXIII (1958-1963) and proclaimed Blessed in 2002;
- the Cardinal Albino Luciani, Patriarch from 1969 to 1978, then Pope Giovanni Paolo I (1978).