renato raffaele martino (born 23 november 1932) is an italian prelate of the roman catholic church. he has been a cardinal since 2003. he has been the longest serving cardinal deacon, the cardinal protodeacon, since june 2014. he served for more than twenty years in the diplomatic service of the holy see, including sixteen years as permanent observer of the holy see to the united nations. he held positions in the roman curia from 2002 to 2009.