Rafael Merry del Val | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the Congregation of the Holy Office | |
 Portrait, ca. 1905 | |
| Appointed | 14 October 1914 |
| Term ended | 26 February 1930 |
| Predecessor | Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani |
| Successor | Raffaele Monaco La Valletta |
| Other post(s) |
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| Previous post(s) |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 30 December 1888 |
| Consecration | 6 May 1900 by Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro |
| Created cardinal | 9 November 1903 by Pope Pius X |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rafael María José Pedro Francisco Borja Domingo Gerardo de la Santísima Trinidad Merry del Val y Zulueta 10 October 1865 |
| Died | 26 February 1930 (aged 64) Vatican City |
| Denomination | Catholic (Roman Rite) |
| Motto | Da mihi animas, Cætera tolle (English "Give me souls, take the rest") |
| Coat of arms |  |
Rafael Merry del Val y Zulueta, OL (10 October 1865 – 26 February 1930) was a Spanish Catholic bishop, Vatican official, and cardinal.
Before becoming a cardinal, he served as the secretary of the papal conclave of 1903 that elected Pope Pius X, who is said to have accepted his election through Merry del Val's encouragement. Pius X later appointed him as the Cardinal Secretary of State. Merry del Val's writings and example prompted greater popularity for the Litany of Humility, which was for some decades incorrectly attributed to him. He was greatly responsible to restoring the privileges to Hispanic countries, which honor him for the devotions and traditionalist practices he fostered by personally signing and executing their petitions to the Holy Office.
A cause for his canonization was opened in 1953 at the behest of Pope Pius XII. He now has the title Servant of God.