Founder

Born on 27 October 1965 in Castel San Pietro Terme (Bologna), after graduating in mechanical engineering from the University of Bologna, he officially began his journey in the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in September 1992, taking perpetual vows on 20 September 1998. He was ordained a priest on 8 January 2000.

From 2013 to 2020, he was General Custos of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St Francis in Assisi and Episcopal Vicar for the pastoral care of the Papal Basilica of St Francis and the other places of worship held by the Friars Minor Conventual in the same diocese. In 2017, he was elected President of the Intermediterranean Federation of Provincial Ministers of the Friars Minor Conventual.

Elected titular Archbishop of Tisiduo and received episcopal ordination on 22 November 2020, in the Ordinary Public Consistory of 28 November 2020, the Holy Father Francis elevated him to the dignity of cardinal and on 20 February 2021 appointed him his Vicar General for Vatican City, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Papal Basilica and President of the Fabric of St. Peter’s.