Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti is a former president of Italy’s bishops’ conference who is dedicated to helping the marginalized and became the first bishop of Perugia to be named a cardinal since 1853.

Born on April 7, 1942, in Popolano di Marradi near Florence, he began his religious journey by attending the minor and major seminaries of the Archdiocese of Florence, leading to his ordination as a priest on June 29, 1966.

Bassetti’s early career was marked by significant roles in religious education. He served as a vicar in the parish of St. Michael in San Salvi before becoming an assistant at the minor seminary of Florence in 1968. His leadership qualities were recognized early, as he was appointed rector of the minor seminary in 1972 and later became the rector of the major seminary of Florence in 1979, a position he held for 11 years.

In 2001 John Paul II appointed him national delegate for the seminaries of Italy, reconfirmed in 2006 by Benedict XVI for another five years.

Bassetti’s ascent in the Church hierarchy began with his appointment as Bishop of Massa Marittima-Piombino in 1994. He continued to climb the ranks, becoming the Archbishop of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro in 1998 and later the Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve in 2009.

He participated in the 2000 World Youth Day at Tor Vergata near Rome, and has dedicated himself to working with the youth and families.

A significant milestone in Bassetti’s career came on February 22, 2014, when Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of cardinal. This appointment was notable as it marked the first time a bishop of Perugia had been named a cardinal since Gioacchino Pecci (later Pope Leo XIII) in 1853.

Bassetti’s leadership extended beyond his diocese when Pope Francis appointed him as the head of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) for a five-year term on May 23, 2017. In this role, he emphasized the importance of collegiality, dialogue, and the integration of social justice with personal morality.

Throughout his career, Cardinal Bassetti has been known for his pastoral approach and concern for the marginalized. He has advocated integrating migrants into Italian society and has proposed reforms to support families and promote employment. In 2016, at Pope Francis’s request, he was given the honor of writing the meditations for the Good Friday Way of the Cross service at the Colosseum.

Cardinal Bassetti has made calls for a more open and transparent approach towards abuse scandals in the Church. He was reportedly resistant to Pope Francis’s desire to convene a synod of the Church in Italy, which led to some friction.

Bassetti has been appointed to several important Vatican dicasteries, including for Bishops, Clergy, and Promoting Christian Unity.

The cardinal nearly died of COVID in October 2020, and was placed in intensive care.

Cardinal Bassetti’s tenure as Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve and as president of the Italian Episcopal Conference concluded in May 2022 when Pope Francis accepted his resignation at the age of 80, marking the end of a long and influential career in the Catholic Church.

It is unclear if he speaks any other languages apart from Italian.