Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, the Archbishop Emeritus of Florence, is a moderate conservative with a strong interest in social justice and peace issues who held several significant positions within the Church hierarchy.

Born on November 18, 1936, in Todi, Umbria, Italy, Antonelli was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Todi on April 2, 1960. He holds a doctorate in classical studies from the University of Perugia and a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

Cardinal Antonelli was chaplain of the Catholic Teachers’ Association and of various Catholic Action groups, and also served as a seminary rector. He taught literature and art history and lectured in dogmatic theology at the theological institute of Assisi, and was likewise deeply involved in parish activities.

Antonelli’s ecclesiastical career has been marked by a series of important appointments. He was appointed Bishop of Gubbio on May 25, 1982, and ordained on August 29 of the same year. During his tenure, he built a new seminary, a diocesan pastoral center, and a house for the clergy. On October 6, 1988, he was promoted to Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve. From 1995 to 2001, he served as the Secretary General of the Italian Bishops’ Conference.

On March 21, 2001, Antonelli was appointed Archbishop of Florence, a position he held until 2008. He was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II on October 21, 2003, with the title of Sant’ Andrea delle Fratte. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as President of the Pontifical Council for the Family on June 7, 2008, a role he held until his retirement on June 26, 2012.

Cardinal Antonelli participated in the conclaves of April 2005 and March 2013, which elected Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, respectively. During the 2005 papal conclave, he was considered a papabile. Throughout his career, he has been appointed to various Vatican congregations, including the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Antonelli is generally seen as a moderate conservative with a strong interest in social justice and peace issues. His views on certain matters have been notable. In the 1990s, when there were demands for the Church to denounce divorced political candidates, Antonelli suggested that the Church should focus more on their voting records. In 2009, following an Italian court decision equating cohabitation with marriage, he emphasized the societal benefits of traditional families and the disadvantages of single-parent and cohabiting couples.

Cardinal Antonelli’s moderate stance and focus on social issues have been consistent themes throughout his career. He has made significant contributions to the Catholic Church in various leadership roles, advocating for social justice while maintaining traditional Church teachings. His work has spanned from local diocesan initiatives to high-level Vatican appointments, reflecting a career dedicated to serving the Church and addressing contemporary social challenges.