he entered the diplomatic service of the holy see in 1959. he served as secretary of the nunciature to the philippines (1960–1964), of the nunciature to spain (1964–1968), and of the nunciature to portugal (1968). from 1969 to 1974, he worked in the vatican secretariat of state, where he was also head of the office of information and documentation. he was raised to the rank of honorary prelate on 26 august 1973.