CATHEDRAL

Born in Lenno, he moved with his family at the age of eight to Tremezzo (CO) and entered the Como Seminary in 1970, after his classical studies at the Gallio College in Como, run by the Somaschi Fathers. He was ordained a priest on 28 June 1975 by Bishop Teresio Ferraroni. Immediately after his priestly ordination, he was entrusted with the delicate task of looking after the diocesan vocational pastoral care, for which he organised, over the years, various formative moments and prayer initiatives, aimed especially at young people. He contributed to the birth and development in the Diocese of Como of the ‘Ordo Virginum’ (association of consecrated virgins). In 1986, he was appointed Spiritual Father of the Como Seminary, a post he held until 2003, when he was appointed Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy. Over the years he has preached numerous spiritual retreats to priests, consecrated persons and lay people in various Italian dioceses. Appointed Bishop of Crema on 25 January 2005, he received episcopal ordination in Como Cathedral at the hands of Bishop Alessandro Maggiolini on 5 March and took possession of the Diocese of Crema on 19 March 2005. On 4 October 2016 he was appointed Bishop of Como and began his ministry on 27 November 2016. On 29 May 2022 Pope Francis announced his creation as cardinal, which took place in the Ordinary Public Consistory of 27 August 2022, becoming titular, from Cardinal Presbyter, of Santa Maria Immacolata Regina Pacis in Monteverde – Rome. As a cardinal he is a member of the Dicastery of Bishops (appointment 13 July 2022)