Félix del Blanco Prieto

Félix del Blanco Prieto (15 June 1937 – 10 April 2021) was a Spanish prelate of the Catholic Church who spent his career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, including stints heading the missions in countries such as Angola and Malta among other countries. He was then appointed Almoner of the office of Papal Charities in 2007 and retired from the same position in 2012.

He served as secretary to Secretary of State Cardinal Agostino Casaroli. He received his episcopal consecration from Cardinal Agostino Casaroli on 6 July 1991. adding the title Apostolic Nuncio to Equatorial Guinea on 28 June.

On 5 June 2003, Pope John Paul named him Apostolic Nuncio to Malta and added the title Apostolic Nuncio to Libya on 24 June.

On 28 July 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named him Papal Almoner.

Pope Benedict accepted his resignation on 3 November 2012.

Death

He died in Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic on 10 April 2021 at the age of 83. Pope Francis was present at Monsignor Felix del Blanco Prieto's private funeral. The funeral service commenced at 12 noon and was officiated by the Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica.