From 1938 until 1942 he continued his studies at the Pontifical Lateran University where he earned a doctorate in utroque iure (in both canon and civil law).

He was the secretary in the nunciature in Haiti and Dominican Republic from 1946 until 1950 when he was promoted to be the Auditor in the apostolic delegation to the United States, until 1953.

He was named Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on 4 October 1980.

Pope John Paul II named him Pro-Major Penitentiary on 8 April 1984.

Having been created a Cardinal he was then named full Major Penitentiary two days later.