Cardinal Francesco Marco Nicola Monterisi is a retired Italian Vatican diplomat and canonist who served as Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops and Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Born on May 28, 1934, in Barletta, Italy, after completing his studies at the Pontifical Minor and Major Seminary, Monterisi earned doctorates in theology and canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University.

He was ordained priest on March 16, 1957, and initially served in Apulia. He began his diplomatic career after studying at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, joining the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1964. His early diplomatic assignments included posts in Egypt and Madagascar from 1964 to 1970.

On December 24, 1982, he was appointed Pro-Nuncio to Korea and Titular Archbishop of Alba Maritima, receiving his episcopal consecration from Pope John Paul II on January 6, 1983. He later served as the first Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II appointed him Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops and Secretary of the College of Cardinals. He was secretary of the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. In 2009, he became Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, serving until his retirement in 2012.

Pope Benedict XVI elevated Monterisi to Cardinal-Deacon of San Paolo alla Regola on November 20, 2010. He participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. After serving ten years as cardinal deacon, he was promoted to the rank of cardinal priest in 2021 by Pope Francis.

Throughout his career, Monterisi has been a member of various Vatican congregations, including the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He retired from active service in 2014, having dedicated over five decades in service to the Church.