Birth. January 17, 1955, Schiavon, diocese of Vicenza, Italy. Son of Luigi Parolin, a hardware store manager, who attended Mass daily, and his wife, Ada Miotti, an elementary school teacher. He has one sister Maria Rosa, and a brother, Giovanni, now a magistrate. When he was ten years old, his father died in a car accident in the road between Bassano and Vicenza. Pietro was an altar boy at his parish church and the pastor, Father Augusto Fornasa, grasped and cultivated his vocation to the priesthood.

Education. In 1969, he entered the Seminary of Vicenza; later, two years after ordination, he studied from 1983 to 1986 at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, obtaining a doctorate in canon law, with a thesis on the Synod of Bishops; and at the same time, studied diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. While in Rome, he resided at the Pontifical Collegio Teutonico. Besides his native Italian, he knows French, English and Spanish.

Birth. September 29, 1940, San Pietro in Campo, Barga, archdiocese of Pisa, Italy. Of a family originally from Camporgiano, with its roots in the small town of Poggio Garfagnana. Youngest of the five surviving children of Giovanni Battista Baldisseri and Gemma Satti (twins died a few days after birth in 1932); his brother Silvio was a priest (+ at 86 on January 6, 2020). He was baptized on the following October 6 by Don Rocco Bonaccorsi.

Education. Elementary studies in the school of S. Pietro in Campo; did the first year of middle school in Barga; in the second year, he entered the Seminary of Pisa, where his brother Silvio was already studying; later, from 1968 to 1969, he was at Convitto S. Carlo al Corso in Rome to study music at the Pontifical Superior Institute of Music, where he studied under Monsignor Domenico Bartolucci, future cardinal, among others (1); he also studied from 1970 to 1973 at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, obtaining a licentiate in theology and a doctorate in canon law; he also studied diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, obtaining the diploma; and from 1970, he frequented the University of Perugia following juridical and international studies. Besides his native Italian, he knows Spanish and Portuguese.

Priesthood. Ordained, June 29, 1963, at the cathedral of Pisa, by Archbishop Ugo Camozzo of Pisa. Celebrated his first two solemn Masses on June 30 in Loppia di Barga, where Father Silvio was the pastor; and on July 7 in S. Pietro in Campo, his native town. Chaplain in the parish of S. Stefano extra Moena in Pisa until 1966; and from 1966 to 1967 in the parish of Querceta in Versilia. During those years, he studied pianoforte with Enzo Borlenghi and took the exams in the Conservatory Boccherini of Lucca. Further studies in Rome, 1968-1973. Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1973. Addetto and later secretary in the nunciatures of Guatemala and El Salvador, 1973-1977; he taught canon law and international law at the Salesian International Theological Institute and at the Francisco Marroquín University in Guatemala. Chaplain of His Holiness, January 13, 1974. Secretary of the nunciature in Japan, 1977-1979. Auditor of the nunciature in Brazil, 1980-1982. Auditor of the nunciature in Paraguay, 1983. Auditor of the nunciature in France, 1983-1986. Counselor in the nunciature in Zimbabwe, 1986-1990. Charged with a special mission to Haiti in 1991.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Diocleziana and appointed nuncio to Haiti, January 15, 1992. Consecrated, March 7, 1992, by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, assisted by Justin Francis Rigali, titular archbishop of Bolsena, secretary of the Congregation for Bishops and secretary of the College of Cardinals, and by Alessandro Plotti, archbishop of Pisa. His episcopal motto is Itinere Laete Servire Domino. Nuncio to Paraguay, April 6, 1995. Nuncio to India and Nepal, June 19, 1999. Nuncio to Brazil, November 12, 2002. Named secretary of the Congregation for Bishops, January 11, 2012. Named secretary of the College of Cardinals, March 7, 2012. Secretary of the March 12-13, 2013 conclave; he received either the cardinalitial biretta or the cardinalitial skullcap from new Pope Francis at the end of that conclave. Named secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, September 21, 2013. Member of the Congregation for Bishops, December 16, 2013. Named counselor of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America on January 15, 2014.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Anselmo all'Aventino in that same consistory. Took possession of his deaconry on Sunday May 11, 2014. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregations for the Causes of Saints and for Bishops; and counselor of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Named member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on September 13, 2014. Participated in the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization". On February 26, 2016, Pope Francis asked him to deliver the meditations of Good Friday, March 25, 2016, at the Roman Colosseum. On September 15, 2020, the Pope accepted his resignation from the post of secretary general of the Synod of Bishops. On September 29, 2020, he turned eighty years old and lost the right to participate in the conclave.

Birth. December 31, 1947, Mainz-Finthen, diocese of Mainz, Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany). Son of Martin Müller, a worker in the automotive industry, and Lioba Straub, a housewife. He grew up with his three siblings Hildegard, Antonia and Günter. He added the name Ludwig not to be confused with another Professor Gerhard Müller.

Education. Having completed his school-leaving examination (Abitur) at the Willigis-Gymnasium in Mainz, he studied philosophy and theology at Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz; at Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Münich; and at Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg im Breisgau. He earned a doctorate in theology in 1977 under the supervision of Professor Karl Lehmann, future cardinal; his thesis was "Kirche und Sakramente im religionslosen Christentum. Bonhoeffers Beitrag zu einer ökumenischen Sakramententheologie" ("The Church and Sacraments in Religionless Christendom. Bonhoeffer's contribution to an Ecumenical Sacramental Theology"). He was ordained deacon on September 3, 1977 by Wolfgang Rolly, titular bishop of Taborenta and auxilary of Mainz, in the Augustinerkirche (church of the seminary) in Mainz. He spent his time as deacon in the parish of St. Franziskus in Mainz-Lerchenberg. Besides his native German, he also speaks Italian, English, Spanish, Polish.

Priesthood. Ordained, February 11, 1978, in his home parish, the church of St. Martin in Mainz-Finthen, by Cardinal Hermann Volk, bishop of Mainz. Incardinated in the diocese of Mainz. He celebrated his first Mass in the same church on February 12, 1978; the homiliy was given by Father Karl Lehmann. Chaplain in St. Nikolaus in Klein-Krotzenburg, St. Michael in Bürstadt and St. Joseph in Offenbach as well as religious education teacher at the Wolfgang-Ernst-Gymnasium in Büdingen and the Gymnasium des Wetteraukreises in Nidda. He qualified as professor (Habilitation) in 1985 in Freiburg im Breisgau, again under Professor Karl Lehmann. Thesis: "Gemeinschaft und Verehrung der Heiligen. Geschichtlich-systematische Grundlegung der Hagiologie" ("Community and Veneration of the Saints. The Historical and Systematic Basis of Hagiography"). Just a year later he was appointed professor of Catholic dogmatics at the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, where he remains honorary professor until today. At the age of 38 in 1986, he was one of the youngest professors at Münich's university. Visiting professor at a number of universities: Cusco (Perú), Madrid (Spain), Philadelphia (USA), Kerala (India), Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Salamanca (Spain), Rome (Italy), Lugano (Switzerland) and São Paulo (Brazil). His research work focuses on ecumenism, modern age theology, the Christian understanding of the revelation, theological hermeneutics and ecclesiology (the priesthood and the deaconry). The best-known of his academic publications, now numbering over 400, is his "Katholische Dogmatik. Für Studium und Praxis der Theologie" ("Catholic Dogmatics. For the Study and Practice of Theology"). This 900-page Dogmatics, first published by Herder Verlag in 1995 and now already in its seventh edition, has been translated into Spanish, Italian, Hungarian and Czech. While professor of Dogmatics (1986-2002), he provided pastoral help to the parish of Leiden Christi in Münich, where he celebrated the daily mass as well as marriages and funerals. Member of the Commission for Doctrine and Faith of the German Bishops' Conference since 1990. Member of the International Theological Commission from 1998 to 2002. Member of the International Theological Commission of the Holy See from 1998 to 2003. In 1999, he was appointed as peritus (theological consultant) to the Special Synod of Bishops for Europe. In 2001, he was active as theological consultant to the Synod of Bishops on the subject "The Bishop as Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for World Hope". Appointed honorary member of the Pontificia Academia Sancti Thomae Aquinatis in Rome in 2001 and as corresponding member of the Theology Section of the Real Academia de Doctores de España in Madrid in 2002.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Regensburg, October 1, 2002. Consecrated, November 24, 2002, cathedral of St. Peter, Regensburg, by Cardinal Friedrich Wetter, archbishop of München und Freising, assisted by Cardinal Karl Lehmann, bishop of Mainz, and by Manfred Müller, bishop emeritus of Regensburg. His episcopal motto is Dominus Jesus. As bishop of Regensburg he was Lord High Chancellor of the Academy for Catholic Church Music and Music Education in Regensburg. In 2003, he was decorated with the grand cross of the Order of St. Constantine (Sacro Militare Ordine Costantiniano di San Giorgi). The Catholic University of Lublin (Poland) awarded him an honorary doctorate in theology on September 14, 2004. In 2005, he participated in the Synod of Bishops on the subject of "The Eucharist, Source and Culmination of the Life and Mission of the Church". From September 11 to 14, 2006, he hosted Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Regensburg. The Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (Poland) awarded him an honorary doctorate in theology on January 9, 2007; as did the Pontifical University of Lima on September 24, 2008. Since 2008 he is member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. On September 1, 2008, he founded the Pope Benedict XVI Institute in Regensburg, which has edited the publication of the sixteen volume "Collected Writings of Joseph Ratzinger" (Joseph Ratzinger. Gesammelte Schriften: JRGS); Bishop Müller was personally commissioned with the publication of the work by Pope Benedict XVI, who was professor in Regensburg from 1969 to 1977. During his episcopate in Regensburg, he was president of the Commission for Ecumenical Relations of the German Bishops' Conference, head of the Joint Commission of Orthodox Churches of the German Bishops' Conference; and active within the Commission for International Church Affairs as a member of the sub-commission for Development Issues (particularly MISEREOR). In addition, he was president of the Regensburg Association for the Promotion of the Institute of the Eastern Churches. On December 20, 2007, he was appointed member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On January 17, 2009, he was appointed member of the Pontifical Council for Culture. In 2009, he was decorated with the Merit Cross First Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz I. Klasse des Verdienstordens für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland). On June 12, 2012, he was appointed member of the Congregation for Catholic Education and of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. On July 2, 2012, he was named prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. At the same time, he was appointed archbishop ad personam. As a result of his new role, he was also ex officio president of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, the International Theological Commission and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. In addition, on November 24, 2012, he was appointed member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. He has written and published numerous works (1). Named member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches on February 19, 2014. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization".

Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Agnese in Agone in that same consistory. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregations the Oriental Churches, for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, and for Catholic Education; and of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and of the Pontifical Council for Culture. On Sunday September 14, 2014, he took possession of the deaconry of S. Agnese in Agone. In November 2016, he received an honorary doctorate from the Croatian Catholic University; he has received honorary degrees from three Polish Catholic universities and one from the University of Lima, Perú. On July 1, 2017, at the end of his five year mandate, he ceased as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and president of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and of the International Theological Commission. He was succeeded in those charges by Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, S.J., titular archbishop of Tibica, until then secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On June 21, 2021, the pope named him member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.

Bibliography. Müller, Gerhard Ludwig ; Granados, Carlos. The Cardinal Müller Report. An Exclusive Interview on the State of the Church. San Francisco, California, Ignatius Press, 2016.

Birth. August 18, 1941, Pieve di Soligo, diocese of Treviso, Italy. From a family of farmers. Son of Giuseppe Stella and Rosa Pederiva. He is the second of the twelve children of the family. He was baptized on the following day of his birth. His sister Loretta died on January 18, 2022 at 74 years old.

Education. His parish priest was instrumental in his entering the seminary. After finishing secondary education, he went to Rome and entered the Major Roman Seminary, where he studied philosophy and theology; then, studied at the Pontifical Lateran University under Professors Antonio Piolanti, Francesco Spadafora and Roberto Masi, among others; in 1965, his bishop, Albino Luciani of Vittorio Veneto, future Pope John Paul I, sent him to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Rome, to study diplomacy; he studied at the academy from 1966 to 1970; he obtained a doctorate in canon law. Besides his native Italian, he knows English, French, German and Spanish.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 19, 1966, by his uncle, Costantino Stella, archbishop of L'Aquila. Incardinated in the diocese of Vittorio Veneto. Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1970. Worked in the nunciatures in the Dominican Republic as adetto from 1970 to 1973; and Zaire as secretary from 1973 to 1976. Named chaplain of His Holiness, September 5, 1974. From 1976 to 1978, he served in the Second Section of the Secretariat of State; then, he worked in the nunciature in Malta, as auditor, from 1978 to 1983; the nuncio was sent away by Malta's prime minister Don Mintoff, and Monsignor Stella stayed there as a chargé d'affaires; in 1983, he was assigned to the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church. Named counselor of nunciature on February 1, 1983.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Midila and appointed nuncio in the Central African Republic, Congo and Chad, August 21, 1987. Consecrated, September 5, 1987, in the patriarchal Vatican Basilica, by Pope John Paul II, assisted by Eduardo Martínez Somalo, titular archbishop of Tagora, substitute of the Secretariat of State, and by Jean Orchampt, bishop of Angers. Nuncio in Cuba, December 15, 1992. Hosted Pope John Paul II during his visit to Cuba in January 1998. Nuncio in Colombia, February 11, 1999. On October 13, 2007, he was named president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Named prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, September 21, 2013. Named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. Named member of the Congregation for Bishops on December 16, 2013.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of Ss. Cosma e Damiano in that same consistory. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregations for the Causes of Saints, for Bishops, for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, and for Catholic Education. On Sunday May 25, 2014, at 11:30 a.m., he took possession of the deaconry of Ss. Cosma e Damiano, situated at Via dei Fori Imperiali, 1, Rome. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization". Appointed member of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Councils on March 10, 2015. Named member of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City on June 11, 2016. On July 13, 2016, he was named member of the Secretariat for Communications. On November 22, 2016, he was named member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On October 4, 2017, he was named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education. The birthplace of Pope John Paul I, bought by Cardinal Stella, was donated by the latter to the diocese of Vittorio Veneto on August 2, 2019. On May 1, 2020, he was named cardinal bishop of the title of the suburbicarian see of Porto-Santa Rufina; he took possession on Sunday April 25, 2021. He ceased as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy on June 11, 2021; he will remain in charge of the Congregation until the taking of possession of the new prefect, Lazarus You Heung-sik, until then bishop of Daejeon, South Korea. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on August 18, 2021.

Birth. November 8, 1945, Crosby, archdiocese of Liverpool, England. Son of Henry Joseph Nichols and Mary Russell. Both his parents were school teachers. As a boy, he wanted to work as a truck driver when he grew up. He discovered his vocation while playing football.

Education. He studied for the priesthood at the Venerable English College in Rome from 1963 to 1970, obtaining licenses in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University; he was ordained deacon in 1968; he then studied at the University of Manchester between 1970 and 1971, obtaining a master's degree in theology; from 1974, he studied at Loyola University in Chicago and was awarded a master's degree in education.

Priesthood. Ordained, December 21, 1969, by Paul Marcinkus, titular bishop of Horta, Rome, for the archdiocese of Liverpool. Further studies, 1970-1971; and 1974. In 1971 he was appointed assistant priest in St Mary's Parish, Wigan and chaplain to the Sixth Form College and St Peter's High School. In 1975 he was appointed to St Anne's parish in Toxteth, Liverpool with particular responsibility for education. In January 1980 he was appointed director of the Upholland Northern Institute, where he was responsible for the in-service training of the clergy, pastoral and religious education courses. He was also a member of Archbishop's Council with responsibility for pastoral formation and development in the diocese. In January 1984, he was appointed general secretary of the Bishops' Conference in England and Wales; occupied the post until 1992. From 1989 to 1996 he was moderator of the Steering Committee of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland.

Birth. March 7, 1949, Ticuantepe, archdiocese of Managua, Nicaragua. From a very humble family. Son of Leopoldo Brenes Flores, a farmer (deceased) and Liliam Solórzano Aguirre, a seamstress (+ September 29, 2022). His siblings are Rosario Auxiliadora, Carlos Fernando and Lilli Pamela. His family calls him "Leopoldito" and his freinds and parishioners, "Padre Polo".

Education. Primary studies at Rural School of Ticuantepe, at Cristóbal Rugada School of Masaya and at Escuela Normal of Managua; secondaries studies at the National Institute of Masaya; and at Colegio San José de Calasanz; then, studied at the National Seminary Nuestra Señora de Fátima of Managua (philosophy); at the Superior Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies (ISEE), Méxio (theology); at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (bachelor's in theology); and at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, where he obtained a licentiate in dogmatic theology. Received the diaconate on January 13, 1974.

Priesthood. Ordained, August 16, 1974, Managua, by Miguel Obando Bravo, S.D.B., archbishop of Managua. Further studies in Rome. Pastor of Santa María de Guadalupe (Tipitapa); of San Miguel Arcángel (Las Brisas); of San Antonio (Jinotepe); of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Ticuantepe); of Santa Ana (Nindirí and Niquinohomo); of La Asunción (Tisma). and later, of the parishes of Sagrada Familia, María Inmaculada, San Pío X, Espíritu Santo and Santa Rosa and San Agustín, in Managua. Vicar for pastoral of the archdiocese of Managua. Episcopal vicar for vocations and ministries.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Maturba and appointed auxiliary of Managua, February 13, 1988. Consecrated, March 19, 1988, metropolitan cathedral of Managua, by Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, S.D.B., archbishop of Managua, assisted by Paolo Giglio, titular archbishop of Tindari, apostolic nuncio to Nicaragua, and by Arturo Rivera Damas, S.D.B., archbishop of San Salvador. His episcopal motto is Tú me has enviado. Transferred to the see of Matagalpa, November 2, 1991. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Managua, April 1, 2005, as its fourth archbishop. Took possession of the see on the following May 21. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2005 at the papal Vatican basilica. In the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua he has been president of the Commission for Vocations and Ministries; secretary general of the Episcopal Conference; president of Cáritas Nacional; president of the Commission for Catechesis; and president of the Commission for Social Communications. Delegate for the Eucharistic Congresses. Delegate to the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops. Delegate to the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM). President of the CELAM Commission Family-Life-Youth. President of the Episcopal Secretariat of Central America (SEDAC). Vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua; and currently, its president.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello in that same consistory. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Pontifical Council Iustitia et Pax and of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. On Sunday October 5, 2014, he took possession of the title of S. Gioacchino ai Prati di Castello. The 37th Ordinary General Assembly of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) elected him second vice-president, for the quadrennium 2019-2023. Ceased as president of the Nicarguan Episcopal Conference, November 18, 2021; on that date he became president of the Episcopal Conference and president of the Missions Commission.

Birth. July 27, 1957, Saint-Hilaire de Dorset, archdiocese of Québec, Canada. Eldest of the seven children of Raymond Lacroix and Brigitte Laurendeau. He spent his youth in New Hampshire, United States of America, where the family of small farmers had migrated when he was eight years old.

Education. He completed his secondary and superior studies at Trinity High School, Manchester; and at Saint-Anselme College, also in Manchester; during the last year of schooling, in 1975, he became a member of the Secular Institute Pius X (1), taking his perpetual vows in 1982. He then returned to Québec and worked first in a restaurant, and later as a graphic designer in a publishing house. In 1980 he took a year off to go as a missionary to Colombia to work at a clinic for indigents; upon his return to Canada, he studied theology at Université de Laval, obtaining a baccalaureate in theology in 1985; and a "maîtrise" in pastoral theology in 1993. In 1982, he became secretary general of the Institute; and in 1985, counselor of the General Council. From 1985 until 1987, he was director general of "Maison du Renouveau", a center of Christian and spiritual formation of the secular Institute. Received the diaconate on March 25, 1988, in the parish of Saint Anthony of Padua, diocese of Manchester, from Bishop Odore Joseph Gendron of Manchester. Besides French and English, he also speaks Spanish.

Priesthood. Ordained, October 8, 1988, at the parish of Notre-Dame-de-la-Recouvrance, Québec, by Maurice Couture, archbishop of Québec. From 1990 until 2000, he ministered in Colombia, where he established the Institute in seven regions and opened nine houses; from 1990 to 1993, he was curate of the parish of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, in Argelia, Cauca, archdiocese of Popayán as well as radio host. From 2001 until 2004, he was director general of the Institute; he was reelected for a quinquennium in 2005. In 2008, he was elected member of the Executive Council of the World Conference for the Secular Institutes.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Ilta and appointed auxiliary of Québec, April 7, 2009. Consecrated, May 24, 2009, in the Shrine of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré, by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., archbishop of Québec, assisted by Maurice Couture, archbishop emeritus of Québec, and by Gilles Lemay, titular bishop of Eguga, auxiliary of Québec. In the same ceremony was consecrated Paul Lortie, titular bishop of Gerpiniana, auxiliary of Québec. His episcopal motto is Mane Nobiscum Domine. Named archdiocesan administrator of Québec on August 26, 2010, when Cardinal Ouellet was named prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Promoted to the metropolitan and primatial see of Québec, February 22, 2011. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2011, at the papal Vatican basilica.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Giuseppe all'Aurelio in that same consistory. He is the first cardinal of his religious family. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life and of the Pontifical Councils for Interreligious Dialogue and for Culture. He took possession of his title on Sunday June 22, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. On May 19, 2018, he was named special papal envoy to the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the evangelization of the West and North of Canada, beginning with the arrival of Father Norbert Provencher and missionary companions of the current archdiocese of Saint-Boniface, programmed for July 15, 2018. On August 6, 2020, the pope named him member of the Council for the Economy. On February 18, 2023, the pope named him member of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Bibliography. LeBlanc, Jean. Dictionnaire biographique des cardinaux du XIXe siècle : contribution à l'histoire du Sacré Collège sous les potificats de Pie VII, Léon XII, Pie VIII, Grégoire XVI, Pie IX et Léon XIII, 1800-1903. 2e édition, revue et augmentée. Montréal : Wilson & Lafleur, 2012. (Collection Gratianus. Série instruments de recherche = Gratianus series. Série Instruments de recherche), p. 648-650.

Birth. December 22, 1945, Blockhauss, archdiocese of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Youngest of the ten children of Martin Kutwa and Louise Ahouo, both deceased. He was baptized on the following January 4 in the church of St-Pierre, Blockhauss, by Father Laziner. He received first communion on July 8, 1955, in the same church where he was baptized.

Education. Initial studies the school St Jean-Bosco, Treichville, in 1950; on September 18, 1955, he entered the "Petit-Clerc", Bingerville in class of CMI; in 1957, he entered the Minor Seminary in Bingerville, where he completed his secondary studies; on October 2, 1964, he entered the Grand Seminary of Anyama, where he studied philosophy and theology; on December 22, 1967, he received the cassock and the ecclesiastical tonsure; he received the diaconate on December 20, 1970, from Archbishop Bernard Yago of Abidjan, in the church of Notre Dame du Perpétuel Secours in Treichville; also, he studied at the Catholic Institute of Occidental Africa (I.C.A.O.), where he obtained a maîtrise in Biblical theology; and at the Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome, where he earned a doctorate in Biblical theology.

Priesthood. Ordained, July 11, 1971, by Archbishop Bernard Yago of Abidjan, in the church of Notre Dame du Perpétuel Secours in Treichville. Incardinated in the archdiocese of Abidjan. From September 15, 1971 to 1974, he was vicar of the cathedral of St Paul, chaplain of the Jeunes Étudiants Chrétiens (Young Christian Students), and professor of music at the Novitiate of Notre Dame in Moossou. From September 15, 1974 to 1977, he was at St Augustin in Bingerville as responsible. In 1977, he was national director of Œuvres (Works). From 1978 to 1984, he was pastor of the cathedral of St Paul, and studied biblical theology at the Catholic Institute of Occidental Africa (I.C.A.O.). In 1984, he went to Rome to study at the Pontifical Urbanian University; the following year, 1985, he made a brief stay in Jerusalem for advanced courses in Hebrew; and another trip to Washington, United States of America, to practice English. In 1987, he returned to his country and was named pastor of the Cathedral of St Paul du Plateau, professor of Holy Scriptures at the Grand Seminary of Anyama and diocesan chaplain of the Jeunes Étudiants Chrétiens (J.E.C.). In 1995, he was pastor of the parish of "Notre Dame" of Treichville; and national assistant of the J.E.C. On July 7, 1997, he was involved in a serious traffic accident that kept him hospitalized for eight months. He is a music composer.

Episcopate. Elected archbishop of Gagnoa, May 15, 2001. Consecrated, September 16, 2001, stadium of Biaka Boda, by Cardinal Bernard Agré, archbishop of Abidjan, assisted by Laurent Akran Mandjo, bishop of Yopougon, and by Barthélémy Djabla,☺ bishop of San-Pedro-en-Côte-d`Ivoire. His episcopal motto is Ut Omnes Unum Sint. Received the pallium from Pope John Paul II on June 29, 2001 at the patriarchal Vatican basilica. Transferred to the metropolitan see of Abidjan, May 2, 2006. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2006 at the papal Vatican basilica.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of Sant'Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza in that same consistory. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life and of the Pontifical Councils for the Laity and of Iustitia et Pax. Named member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on September 13, 2014. Took possession of his title on February 26, 2017.

Birth. June 23, 1950, São José do Rio Pardo, diocese of São João da Boa Vista, Brazil. Youngest of the nine children of Achille Tempesta, an Italian immigrant, and Maria Bárbara de Oliveira, from Brazil.

Education. Primary education at Grupo Escolar Tarquínio Cobra Olyntho, 1957-1960; and at Instituto de Educação Euclides da Cunha, 1961-1964, both in São José do Rio Pardo; secondary schooling, 1965-1967, at the same institute. On February 1, 1968, he entered the Order of the Cistercians at the monastery of Nossa Senhora de São Bernardo in that same city and received the religious habit; on February 2, 1969, he took the simple vows; studied philosophy at the monastery of São Bento, in São Paulo, 1969-1970; and at São João Del Rei, Minas Gerais, 1975; and theology in the Theological Institute "Pio IX", in São Paulo, 1971-1974; on February 2, 1972, he did his solemn profession; on March 18, 1973, he received the minor orders of acolyte and lector; on March 25, 1973, he was ordained deacon in the parish of São Roque, in São José do Rio Pardo, by Tomás Vaquero, bishop of São João da Boa Vista. Graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy Dom Bosco, São João Del Rei, Minas Gerais, on February 7, 1976.

Priesthood, Ordained, December 7, 1974, parish of São Roque, by Bishop Tomás Vaquero of São João da Boa Vista. From 1974 to 1984, he was vice-prior of the monastery of Nossa Senhora de São Bernardo, in São José do Rio Pardo. From July 17, 1984, he was prior of that monastery; and at the same time, from December 7, 1974, he was vicar of the parish of São Roque, in São José do Rio Pardo; became its pastor on December 7, 1984; coordinator of communications and of diocesan pastoral; member of the Presbyteral Council; member of the College of Consultors; and professor at the Seminary "Coração de Maria" in São João da Boa Vista. Reelected prior on June 5, 1990; occupied the post until November 12, 1993. On September 10, 1996, the monastery became an abbey and he was elected its first abbot on December 5, 1996; on the following December 15, he received the abbatial blessing.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of São José do Rio Preto, February 26, 1997. Consecrated, April 25, 1997, in São José do Rio Preto, by José de Aquino Pereira, bishop emeritus of Sâo José do Rio Preto, assisted by Dadeus Grings, bishop of São João da Boa Vista, and by Luiz Gonzaga Bergonzini, bishop of Guarulhos. Took possession of the see on May 1, 1997. His episcopal motto is Ut omnes unum sint. In 1998, he was elected member of the superior council of the Brazilian Institute of Christian Communications (Inbrac), which maintains RedeVida de Televisó; later became its president. Administrator of the territorial abbey of Clavaral, of the Cistercian Order of Casamari, in Claraval, Minas Gerais, from May 22, 1999 to December 11, 2002. Apostolic visitor to the monastery of São Bento, Olinda, from 2001 to 2002. On May 8, 2003, he was elected president of the Episcopal Commission for Culture, Education and Social Communications; reelected until 2011. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Belém do Pará, October 13, 2004. Took possession of the see on December 8, 2004. On December 22, 2004, he was named titular member of the National Council of Social Communications of the Federal Senate as representative of the civil society for the triennium 2004-2007; since August 8, 2012, he is president of that council. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2005 at the patriarchal Vatican basilica. In 2007, he participated in the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopate, celebrated in Aparecida, Brazil. Received an honorary doctorate from Centro Universitário São Camilo, of the Camillian Fathers, São Paulo, on November 19, 2008. Transferred to the metropolitan see of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, February 27, 2009. He took possession of the see the following April 19. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2009, at the papal Vatican basilica. President of the Foundation Rádio Catedral. Grand chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC-Rio). President of the Brazilian Institute of Catholic Marketing (IBMC). President of the Local Organizing Committee of the World Youth Day 2013, celebrated in Rio de Janeiro from July 23 to 28; hosted Pope Francis during the celebration. He was named member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on February 6, 2014.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Maria Madre della Provvidenza a Monte Verde in that same consistory. On Saturday April 12, 2014, he took possession of his title. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education. Named member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on September 13, 2014. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization", by papal appointment. On March 10, 2021, the pope named him member of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. On June 1, 2022, the pope named him member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Birth. April 7, 1942, Popolano di Marradi, diocese of Faenza (now Faenza-Modigliana), Italy. He is the eldest of the three children of Arrigo Bassetti and Flora Nannini. Two of his cousins, Giuseppe and Luca Bassetti, are priests.

Education. After spending his infancy in Fantino, archdiocese of Florence, in 1956 he entered the Archiepiscopal Seminary of Florence.

Priesthood, Ordained, June 29, 1966, at the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, by Cardinal Ermenegildo Florit, archbishop of Florence. Named vice pastor of the parish of San Michele a San Salvi, Florence, in that same year. From 1968, he was assistant and later responsible for the vocational pastoral at the Minor Seminary of Florence; in 1972, he became its rector. In 1979, he was named rector of the Major Seminary of Florence. In 1990, he became pro-vicar general of the archdiocese of Florence; and in 1992, vicar general.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Massa Marittima-Piombino, July 9, 1994. Consecrated, September 8, 1994, at the metropolitan cathedral basilica of S. Lorenzo, Florence, by Cardinal Silvano Piovanelli, archbishop of Florence, assisted by Antonio Bagnoli, bishop emeritus of Fiesole, and by Giovanni Bianchi, bishop emeritus of Pescia. His episcopal motto is In charitate fundati. He entered the diocese on September 18, 1994. Transferred to the see of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro, November 21, 1998. He entered the diocese on February 6, 1999. In 2001, he was named delegate for the seminaries of Italy; confirmed in March 2006. Member of the Episcopal Commission for the Clergy and Consecrated Life of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Perugia-Città della Pieve, July 16, 2009. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2010, at the papal Vatican basilica. Member of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. Vice-president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Named member of the Congregation for Bishops on December 16, 2013.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Cecilia in that same consistory. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregations for Bishops, and for the Clergy; and of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Took possession of his title on Sunday June 8, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. On February 26, 2016, Pope Francis asked him to deliver the meditations at the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, in the Roman Colosseum. He presided over the solemn eucharistic celebration at the opening of the 7th Centennial of the Pardon of Assisi programmed for August 2, 2016, at 11 a.m. On May 24, 2017, Pope Francis named him president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. On August 6, 2019, the pope named him member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. On April 7, 2022, he turned 80 years old and lost the right to participate in the conclave. On May 24, 2022, he ceased as president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. On May 27, 2022, the pope accepted his resignation from the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Perugia-Città della Pieve.

Birth. November 29, 1947, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Son of Mario Poli, a railroad machinist born in La Scala, diocese of San Miniato, Tuscany, Italy, and his wife, Josefa Felisa Zambotti, an Argentinean, who was a seamstress and whose family had also migrated from Italy. The family lived in Buenos Aires but for a period they moved to Casale Monferrato, in Piedmont.

Education. Completed his primary education at the state schools. Secondary education at the parish school "San Pedro Apóstol". He frequented the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, where he obtained the title of licentiate in social services. At 22, he entered the Metropolitan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception of Buenos Aires (Villa Devoto), where he studied philosophy and theology. At the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires" (UCA) he obtained a doctorate in theology. At the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) he obtained a licentiate in social service.

Priesthood. Ordained, November 25, 1978, at the metropolitan cathedral of Buenos Aires, by Cardinal Juan Carlos Aramburu, archbishop of Buenos Aires. Incardinated in the archdiocese of Buenos Aires. Vicar in the parish of San Cayetano (Liniers) from 1978 to 1980. From 1980 to 1991, in the Metropolitan Seminary, he was superior of the community; later, economous; and finally, assessor of studies. From 1980, he taught ecclesiastical history at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA). Chaplain of the Missionary Servants of the Holy Spirit from 1988 to 1991. Ecclesiastical assistant of the lay association "Fraternidades y Agrupaciones Santo Tomás de Aquino" from 1988 to 1992. Director of the Vocational Institute "San José" (propaedeutic course at the major seminary). Member of the College of Consultors and of the Presbyteral Council.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Abidda and appointed auxiliary of Buenos Aires, February 8, 2002. Consecrated, April 20, 2002, Buenos Aires, by Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., archbishop of Buenos Aires, assisted by Cardinal Juan Carlos Aramburu, archbishop emeritus of Buenos Aires, by Mario José Serra, titular bishop of Mentesa, by Joaquín Mariano Sucunza, titular bishop of Satabi, auxiliary of Buenos Aires, and by Guillermo Rodríguez Melgarejo, bishop of San Martín. His episcopal motto is Da cor docile. He continued teaching at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina. Transferred to the see of Santa Rosa, June 24, 2008. He was installed on the following August 30. In the Argentine Episcopal Conference he was a member of the Episcopal Commissions for Catholic Education and for Ministers and is currently president of the Episcopal Commission for Catechesis and Biblical Pastoral. He is national chaplain of the Scout Catholic Pastoral Commission (COPASCA). Promoted to the metropolitan and primatial see of Buenos Aires, March 28, 2013. Named ordinary for the Catholic faithful of Oriental Rite that reside in Argentina and are without an ordinary of their own rite on May 4, 2013. Named member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches on February 19, 2014.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Roberto Bellarmino in that same consistory. Took possession of his title on February 23, 2014. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of Congregation for the Oriental Churches and of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Participated in the 14th General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place at the Vatican from October 4 to 25, 2015 on the theme "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world". On November 11, 2017, he was elected first vice-president of the Executive Commission of the Argentinean Episcopal Conference.

Birth. December 5, 1943, Ansong, diocese of Suwon, province of Gyeonggi, Korea. From a Catholic family for five generations. They are descendants of Peter Yeom Seok-tae and his wife, Kim Maria, who were arrested and executed in 1850 for their Catholic faith. He is the fourth of the six children of Yeom Han-jin (1908-1983) and Baek Geum-waul (1908-1995). His two younger brothers Yeom Soo-wan and Yeom Soo-eui also became priests and currently lead two parishes in Seoul.

Education. Entered the Seminary of Seoul in 1958; he studied at the Catholic University of Korea, graduating in 1970; later, he obtained a master's degree in Education in Counseling Psychology from Korea University. He also studied at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in the Philippines.

Priesthood. Ordained, December 8, 1973, Seoul, by Cardinal Stephen Sou-hwan Kim, archbishop of Seoul. Incardinated in the archdiocese of Seoul. Vice-pastor of two communities from 1971 to 1973; professor and president of Songshin High School, minor seminary of the archdiocese of Seoul, from 1973 until 1977. Pastor in three different parishes between 1977 and 1987. Procurator of the Major Seminary of Seoul from 1987 until 1992. Chancellor of the archdiocesan curia of Seoul from 1992 until 1998. Pastor in Mok-dong. Vicar foraneous and member of the presbyteral council between 1998 and 2001.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Tibiuca and appointed auxiliary of Seoul, December 1, 2001. Consecrated, January 25, 2002. in the Chang Choung Dong Stadium, Seoul, by Archbishop Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk of Seoul, assisted by Andrew Choi Chang-mou, archbishop of Kwangju, and by John Chang-yik, bishop of Ch'unch'on. In the same ceremony was consecrated Joseph Lee Han Teok, S.J., titular bishop of Tibuzabeto and auxiliary of Seoul. His episcopal motto is Amen Veni Domine Iesu. Vicar general and episcopal vicar for the pastoral and the apostolate of the mass media. Member of the Permanent Council and of the Commission for Missions, and for the Commission for the Pastoral of Health.of the Korean Episcopal Conference; as well as president of the Committee for the Apostolate of the Lay. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Seoul on May 10, 2012. He was installed and took possession of the see on the following June 25. He was the 13th archbishop of Seoul. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2012 at the papal Vatican basilica.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Crisogono in that same consistory. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregations for the Evangelization of Peoples and for the Clergy. On Saturday October 4, 2014, he took possession of the title of S. Crisogono. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization", by papal appointment. On October 28, 2021, the pope accepted his resignation from the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Seoul. To succeed him the pope named Peter Chung Soon-Taick, O.C.D., until then titular bishop of Tamazuca and auxiliary of Seoul.

Birth. January 7, 1942, Campiglia dei Berici, diocese of Vicenza, Italy. Son of Mario Ezzati and Asunta Andrello.

Education. Basic education at the communal school of his native town; middle studies at the Salesian school of Penango, Asti; in 1959, he arrived in Chile and entered the Congregation of St. John Bosco of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians), at the novitiate of Quilpué; on January 31, 1961, he emitted the first religious profession; then, he studied philosophy and pedagogy at the Salesian institute affiliated with the Catholic University of Valparaíso; from 1964 to 1966, he taught at Liceo Camilo Ortúzar Montt, in Santiago; then, he studied theology at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, where he obtained a licentiate in sacred theology; later, after his ordination, he studied at Institut de Pastorale Catéchetique, Strasbourg, France, where he earned a master's degree in religious science. He also obtained the title of Profesor de Estado en Religión y Filosofía from the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso. On December 30, 1966, he took his perpetual vows; he belonged to the Salesian province of Chile.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 18, 1970. Between 1971 and 1972, he was responsible of the pastoral of the Salesian Institute in Valdivia. From 1973 to 1977, he was superior of the Salesian community and rector of the Salesian school in Concepción. In 1978, he returned to Santiago, where he stayed until 1983. During that time, he was director of the major seminary of his congregation; provincial counselor; professor of fundamental pastoral at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; member and director of the Centro de Estudios y Experiencias Catequísticas (CEEC). In 1984, he participated in the general chapter of his congregation and was named provincial inspector of the Salesians in Chile; as such, he was elected vice president of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and Women Religious of Chile (CONFERRE). In 1990, he participated for the second time in the general chapter of the congregation; and during his term as provincial superior in 1991, he was called to the Vatican to collaborate with Archbishop Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa, of the Fathers of Schönstatt, secretary of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Valdivia, June 28, 1996. Consecrated, September 8, 1996, by Cardinal Carlos Oviedo Cavada, O. de M., archbishop of Santiago de Chile, assisted by Sergio Otoniel Contreras Navia, bishop of Temuco, and by Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa, of the Fathers of Schönstatt, archbishop-bishop of Valparaíso. His episcopal motto is Para Evangelizar. Attended Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, November 16 to December 12, 1997. On July 10, 2001, he was transferred to the titular see of La Imperial and named auxiliary of Santiago and apostolic administrator of Valdivia; he occupied the latter post until the following December 8, when Sergio Contreras Navia, bishop emeritus of Temuco, assumed the administration. In Santiago, he was also vicar general of the archdiocese. On April 24, 2006, President Michelle Bachelet of Chile, at the request of the National Congress, promulgated Law N.º 20.100, which granted him the Chilean citizenship by special grace. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Concepción, December 27, 2006; took possession of the see on March 11, 2007, succeeding Archbishop Antonio Moreno, who had resigned for reasons of health. Attended the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate that took place in Aparecida, Brazil, from May 13 to 31, 2007. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI in the papal Vatican basilica on June 29, 2007. Participated in the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopate (CELAM) celebrated in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007. Between 2009 and 2010, he was one of the five bishops charged with the apostolic visitation to the Legion of Christ. In November 2010, he was elected president of the Episcopal Conference of Chile for a triennium; reelected for another triennium on November 7, 2013; ceased on November 11, 2016. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Santiago, December 15, 2010. Diocesan administrator of the see of Concepción until his successor took possession. Took possession of the archdiocese of Santiago on January 15, 2011. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2011, in the papal Vatican basilica. Named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of SS. Redentore a Val Melaina in that same consistory. On May 22, 2014, he was named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education and of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization". Took possession of the title of SS. Redentore a Val Melaina, Via Monte Ruggero, 63, Rome, on Saturday October 11, 2014. Participated in the 14th General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place at the Vatican from October 4 to 25, 2015 on the theme "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world". The cardinal informed the clergy of the Archdiocese of Santiago in a letter dated January 19, 2017 that Pope Francis asked him to continue indefintely in that post after having turned seventy five years old that month. On June 17, 2017, the pope named him special papal envoy to the celebration of the centennial of the birth of Blessed Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, in program in San Salvador, El Salvador, on August 15, 2017. On March 23, 2019, the pope accepted his resignation from the pastoral government of Santiago de Chile. The pope named apostolic administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the archdiocese of Santiago de Chile Celestino Aós Braco, O.F.M. Cap., until then bishop of Copiapó. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on January 7, 2022.

(1) According to Ezra Fieser, Catholic News Service, "Haitian Catholic leaders see the choice as recognition of the church's work following a devastating earthquake that struck four years ago to the day of the papal announcement. The quake killed an estimated 220,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless. It killed the archbishop of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and toppled the city's iconic cathedral."

Birth. October 14, 1915, Pontelongo, diocese of Padua, Italy. Son of Rodolfo Capovilla, a functionary of Società Belga Zuccherifici, and Letizia Callegaro. He had a sister, Lia. He was baptized in the archpriestal church of Pontelongo. The father died in 1922, causing the mother and the two children go through a very difficult period of precariousness and wanderings until final settling in Mestre in 1929.

Education. Studied at the Patriarchal Seminary of Venice.

Priesthood. Ordained, May 23, 1940, Venice, by Cardinal Adeodato Giovanni Piazza, O.C.D., patriarch of Venice. Incardinated in the patriarchate of Venice. He performed various tasks in the parish of S. Zaccaria and in the patriarchal curia, where he was capitular master of ceremonies in the Basilica of San Marco; he also was catechist in middle schools and chaplain of the Onarmo in Porto Marghera; he performed his ministry as minors' prison chaplain and as chaplain of the infectious hospital. During the Second World War he served in the military aviation (1). In 1945, he was named Sunday preacher at "Radio Venezia", ministry that he performed until 1953. In 1949, he was named director of the diocesan weekly "La Voce di San Marco" and redactor of the Venetian page of "Avvenire d'Italia", the newspaper of the Italian bishops. He was inscribed in the "Album of Journalists" in 1950. Secretary to Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, patriarch of Venice, and later Pope John XXIII, from March 15, 1953 to June 3, 1963. Privy chamberlain supernumerary of His Holiness, December 11, 1955. Conclavist to Patriarch Roncalli in the conclave of 1958, in which the patriarch was elected pope. After the election, he continued as secretary of the pope until the death of the pontiff, having been confirmed in the post the same evening of the election, October 28, 1958. Domestic prelate of His Holiness, December 12, 1958. Privy chamberlain participant of His Holiness, March 22, 1960. Canon of the chapter of the patriarchal Vatican basilica in 1960. Pope Paul VI named him prelate di anticamera and expert to the Second Vatican Council.

Episcopate. Elected archbishop of Chieti, June 25, 1967; the see of Chieti had united in perpetuity the administration of the diocese of Vasto (now archdiocese of Chieti-Vasto). Consecrated, July 15, 1967, at the patriarchal Vatican basilica, by Pope Paul VI, assisted by Augusto Gianfranceschi, bishop of Cesena, and by Jacques-Paul Martin, titular bishop of Neapoli di Palaestina, canon of the chapter of the patriarchal Vatican basilica and official of the Secretariat of State. His episcopal motto was Oboedientia et Pax (the same as Pope John XXIII). Transferred to the titular see of Messembria (which was the titular see of Archbishop Roncalli) and named prelate of Loreto and pontifical delegate to the Lauretano Shrine, September 25, 1971. Resigned the posts on December 10, 1988. He resided in Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, the native town of Pope John XXIII.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 2014; received the title of S. Maria in Trastevere on that same day. He was not able to participate in the consistory because of age and health reasons. Received the red biretta and the cardinalitial ring on March 1, 2014, at 4 p.m., at the parish church of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, delegate of Pope Francis, imposed the biretta and presided over the concelebrated Mass that followed. On November 29, 2015, he took possession of his title by procurator. At 98 years old, he immediately was the oldest member of the College of Cardinals, and (having already reached age 80) was not eligible to participate in a conclave.

Death. May 26, 2016, in the afternoon, in the clinic Beato Palazzolo, Bergamo. In a moving farewell note, the late cardinal asked for "no public funeral," just a private chapel Mass for closest friends. After learning the news of the death of the cardinal, Pope Francis prayed for the eternal repose of his soul and sent Francesco Beschi, bishop of Bergamo, a telegram of condolence (2). Bishop Beschi presided over the funeral Mass and preached the homily. Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto delivered the eulogy at the end of the ceremony. Buried, according to his will, in a poor pine coffin beside Padre David Maria Turoldo, O.S.M., in the small cemetery adjacent to the Abbey of Fontanella, near Sotto il Monte (3).

Bibliography. Capovilla, Lois Francesco. I miei anni con Papa Giovanni XXIII. Conversazione con Ezio Bolis. Milano : Rizzoli, 2013; Loris Capovilla. Umiltà e dialogo. Edited by Marco Boato. Padova : Edizioni Messaggero, 2016; Capovilla, Lois Francesco ; Salvi, Renzo. Nell’aurora del Concilio. Loris F. Capovilla, Assisi, papa Giovanni … il mondo. Assisi : Cittadella Editrice, 2016; David Maria Turoldo, Loris Francesco Capovilla. Nel solco di papa Giovanni. Lettere inedite. Edited by Marco Roncalli and Antonio Donadio. Milano : Servitium, 2017.