Cardinal Eduardo Menichelli is a retired Italian prelate who has been actively involved in pastoral care for families and served for a time as national chaplain for the Association of Italian Catholic Physicians.

Born on October 14, 1939, in San Severino Marche, Italy, Menichelli pursued his education in philosophy and theology at the Pius IX Regional Pontifical Seminary in Fano before advancing to the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, where he obtained a license in pastoral theology.

Ordained priest on July 3, 1965, Menichelli began his service as a vicar at St. Joseph’s parish in his hometown while also teaching religion in local public schools. In 1968, he moved to Rome, where he would spend the next 26 years in various roles. He served as an official at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura until 1991 and then worked in the secretariat of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches from 1992 to 1994.

During his time in Rome, Menichelli was actively involved in pastoral care, particularly focusing on families at the parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He also provided spiritual guidance at the Villa Mafalda clinic and contributed to family services at the Gemelli Policlinic, where he taught professional ethics in the nursing school.

Menichelli’s ecclesiastical career took a significant turn on June 10, 1994, when he was appointed Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, receiving his episcopal ordination on July 9 of the same year. A decade later, on January 8, 2004, he was appointed Archbishop of Ancona-Osimo.

Throughout his career, Menichelli has held several important positions, including president of the Marche Bishops’ Conference and national chaplain for the Association of Italian Catholic Physicians. His expertise and dedication led to his participation in the Third Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2014 and the XIV General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family in October 2015.

The pinnacle of Menichelli’s ecclesiastical career came on February 15, 2015, when Pope Francis created him cardinal, assigning him the Title of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at Tor Fiorenza. Menichelli retired as archbishop in July 2017.