The book offers a rare glimpse into the life of layman Guzmán who served under Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV
Newsroom (25/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a poignant reflection on a half-century of service to five popes, Uruguayan jurist Guzmán Miguel Carriquiry Lecour has published Il Testimone: Mezzo Secolo di un Laico nelle Stanze Vaticane (Cantagalli Editions), a memoir detailing his remarkable journey through the heart of the Vatican. Presented on September 24 at Lumsa University’s Aula Magna in Rome, the book offers a rare glimpse into the life of a layman who served under Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV, blending geopolitical insight with a prophetic vision for a more transparent Church.
The event, moderated by Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of the Dicastery for Communication, featured remarks from Lumsa University rector Francesco Bonini, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Community, and Monsignor Mariano Fazio, auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei. Their reflections painted a portrait of Carriquiry as a courageous, forthright layman whose Latin American perspective enriched his contributions to the Vatican.
A Latin American Lens on Vatican Life
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on April 20, 1944, Carriquiry served in various Vatican roles from 1971 to 2019, including as undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America under Pope Benedict XVI. Until March 2025, he also represented Uruguay as ambassador to the Holy See. His memoir, as Tornielli noted, breathes “almost half a century of Vatican life,” marked by authenticity and a distinctly Latin American Catholic perspective.
Cardinal Ouellet, who worked closely with Carriquiry at the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, praised the jurist’s ability to combine “geopolitical analysis with prophetic dreams that inspire.” He described Il Testimone as a “benevolent, sometimes critical” analysis of the Roman Curia’s recent decades, highlighting Carriquiry’s vision for a Church that balances its hierarchical and charismatic dimensions. Ouellet emphasized the book’s portrayal of a “free” lay voice—one that prays, reflects, and passionately advocates for Christ and Church reform. He also recalled Carriquiry’s golden wedding anniversary with his wife, Lídice, celebrated in the presence of Pope Francis, underscoring the jurist’s deep family ties and gratitude for Italian hospitality.
A Courageous Voice for a Transparent Church
Andrea Riccardi lauded Carriquiry’s courage and integration into Italian society, noting his refusal to abandon the pursuit of “a better world and a more transparent Church.” Riccardi highlighted the memoir’s candid tone, likening it to Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground for its unfiltered reflections. Carriquiry’s Vatican tenure, Riccardi said, was marked by both patience and impatience—an unrelenting commitment to reform tempered by steadfast loyalty. He also recalled Carriquiry’s close friendship with Pope Francis, describing him as the “first Bergoglian in Rome” for his early alignment with then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s vision of a “Church of the poor.”
Monsignor Fazio drew parallels between Il Testimone and Dante’s Divine Comedy, citing Carriquiry’s devotion to his wife, Lídice, as a Beatrice-like presence throughout the memoir, and his love for the papacy as an institution. Yet, like Dante, Carriquiry does not shy away from critique, expressing his views with “frankness and transparency.” Fazio emphasized that Carriquiry was never a “yes man,” pointing to a notable instance when he urged Pope Benedict XVI to revise a 2007 speech for the Latin American and Caribbean Bishops’ Conference in Brazil—a speech that ultimately earned 17 interruptions for applause.
A Life of Service and Spiritual Depth
Carriquiry himself addressed the audience, expressing gratitude for the “generous words” about his work while playfully inviting constructive criticism. He reflected on the grace and challenges of his Vatican service, quoting St. Paul: “I have fought the good fight.” He acknowledged the Curia’s complexities, where “God’s grace abounds” but human flaws persist, including the temptation to see oneself as the Church’s architect rather than its servant. Carriquiry shared that the manuscript never reached Pope Francis, with whom he shared meals and candid conversations marked by mutual affection and occasional critique. “He was always faithful to his friends,” Carriquiry said of Francis, noting that the book did reach Pope Leo XIV.
The memoir also underscores Carriquiry’s spiritual commitment, particularly his concern for the “spiritual health” of Curia members and their human dimension. In a lighthearted anecdote, Fazio recounted Carriquiry’s hospitality, advising guests to “always bring something” when invited to his home—a practice not always followed by then-Cardinals Ratzinger and Bergoglio.
A Legacy of Faith and Frankness
Il Testimone stands as a testament to Carriquiry’s unique journey—a layman from Latin America who navigated the Vatican’s corridors with intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, and an unwavering commitment to a more just and transparent Church. As Cardinal Ouellet described it, the book is both a memoir and a “provocation,” urging readers to engage with the Church’s mission through critical reflection and prophetic hope.
The presentation concluded with Carriquiry’s call for dialogue and action, echoing his lifelong belief that serving the papacy involves not just loyalty but the courage to ask questions and offer honest perspectives. For a man who served five popes, his story is a reminder that the Church’s mission thrives on the contributions of laity who, as Riccardi put it, “know how to stand in the world.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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