Matteo Maria Zuppi
Stored: Matteo Maria Zuppi
| His Eminence Matteo Maria Zuppi | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Bologna | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Bologna |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Rome (Auxiliary) |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 9 May 1981 by Archbishop Loris Francesco Capovilla |
| Consecration: | 14 April 2012 by Cardinal Agostino Vallini |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 5 October 2019 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Matteo Maria Zuppi 11 October 1955 Rome, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Pontifical Lateran University, Sapienza University of Rome |
| Motto: | "Gaudium Domini Fortitudo Vestra" (The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, born October 11, 1955, is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Bologna since 2015 and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) since 2022.[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, Zuppi is known as a “street priest” for his work with the Sant’Egidio Community, a Catholic lay association focused on peacebuilding and social justice, notably mediating the 1992 Mozambique peace accords.[2] His motto, “Gaudium Domini Fortitudo Vestra” (The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength, Nehemiah 8:10), reflects his emphasis on evangelization through dialogue, as seen in his 2024 support for a Bologna interreligious dialogue center and his 2023 defense of *Fiducia Supplicans*, which allowed blessings for same-sex couples.[3] At 69, Zuppi is one of 16 Italian cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he is considered a leading contender for his progressive alignment with Pope Francis’ vision and peace advocacy, including his 2023 Ukraine mission.[4][5]
Ordained a priest in 1981, Zuppi served as auxiliary bishop of Rome (2012–2015) before his Bologna appointment, earning a reputation as a peacemaker through Sant’Egidio’s conflict resolution in Mozambique, Guatemala, and Burundi.[6] His 2023 role as Francis’ envoy to Ukraine, Russia, and Gaza, and his 2025 meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy post-Francis’ funeral, highlight his diplomatic influence.[1] A vocal critic of European nationalism, Zuppi emphasized Christian unity over division in March 2025, clashing with Italy’s Matteo Salvini.[1] His progressive stances, including support for LGBTQ+ inclusion and migrant rights, have positioned him as a papabile, though his relative youth and limited Curial experience may concern some electors.[5][7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Matteo Maria Zuppi was born on October 11, 1955, in Rome, Italy, the fifth of six children to Enrico Zuppi, a journalist and editor of *L’Osservatore Romano*’s weekly supplement, and Carla Fumagalli, niece of Cardinal Carlo Confalonieri.[1] Raised in a devout Catholic family with strong Vatican ties, he attended Rome’s Liceo Virgilio, where in 1968 he met Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Community, inspiring his commitment to the poor and peacebuilding.[2] His early engagement with Sant’Egidio’s Gospel-based outreach to Rome’s marginalized shaped his priestly vocation.[5]
At 15, Zuppi joined Sant’Egidio, participating in initiatives for marginalized children, elders, and immigrants.[8] His family’s ecclesiastical connections and Roman upbringing fostered a global Church perspective.[6]
Education
Zuppi studied at the Palestrina seminary and earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.[1] He obtained a *laurea* in history of Christianity from Sapienza University of Rome, with a thesis on Christian history, enhancing his understanding of ecumenism.[1] His studies focused on applying Gospel principles to social issues, aligning with Sant’Egidio’s mission.[2]
Fluent in Italian and likely English (used in Ukraine missions), Zuppi’s education prepared him for pastoral and diplomatic roles, emphasizing dialogue and social justice.[5] His academic work supported his later advocacy for interreligious harmony.[3]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Palestrina on May 9, 1981, by Archbishop Loris Francesco Capovilla, Zuppi was incardinated into the Diocese of Rome in 1988.[1] He served as vicar at Santa Maria in Trastevere (1981–1990), Sant’Egidio’s base, and pastor of Santa Maria della Scala (2000–2010).[2] With Sant’Egidio, he mediated the 1992 Mozambique peace accords, earning honorary Mozambican citizenship, and supported peace efforts in Guatemala and Burundi.[8]
His priesthood focused on the marginalized, advocating for migrants and LGBTQ+ inclusion, notably through his 2018 introduction to James Martin’s *Building a Bridge*.[9] Zuppi’s “street priest” approach emphasized personal evangelization.[5]
Bishop
Appointed auxiliary bishop of Rome and titular bishop of Villa Nova on January 31, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI, Zuppi was consecrated on April 14, 2012, by Cardinal Agostino Vallini.[1] Named Archbishop of Bologna on October 27, 2015, by Pope Francis, he was elevated to cardinal on October 5, 2019, assigned the titular church of Sant’Egidio.[6] Elected CEI president in 2022, he has led Italy’s bishops amid declining Catholic practice.[2]
As archbishop, Zuppi has promoted synodality, interreligious dialogue, and peace, serving as Francis’ Ukraine envoy in 2023 and judge of the Vatican Supreme Court in 2023.[10] In 2025, he joined conclave preparations, advocating Church unity.[4]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Rome | Auxiliary Bishop | 31 January 2012 | 27 October 2015 | Titular Bishop of Villa Nova |
| Archdiocese of Bologna | Archbishop | 27 October 2015 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2019, CEI president since 2022 |
Significant events
- Joined Sant’Egidio Community, 1970.[2]
- Ordained priest for Diocese of Palestrina, 1981.[1]
- Mediated Mozambique peace accords, 1992.[8]
- Became pastor of Santa Maria della Scala, 2000.[2]
- Named auxiliary bishop of Rome, 2012.[1]
- Appointed Archbishop of Bologna, 2015.[1]
- Wrote introduction to *Building a Bridge*, 2018.[9]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2019.[6]
- Appointed to Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, 2020.[1]
- Presided over David Sassoli’s funeral, 2022.[1]
- Elected president of Italian Episcopal Conference, 2022.[2]
- Named Vatican envoy for Ukraine peace mission, 2023.[5]
- Appointed judge of Vatican Supreme Court, 2023.[10]
- Supported Bologna interreligious dialogue center, 2024.[3]
- Criticized European nationalism, March 2025.[1]
- Participated in Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, April 2025.[4]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Zuppi were identified.
Written by the bishop
- Zuppi, Matteo Maria (2010). La Confessione, il perdono per cambiare. Cinisello Balsamo: Edizioni San Paolo. ISBN 978-8821568671. Available on Amazon.
- Zuppi, Matteo Maria (2013). Guarire le malattie del cuore: itinerario quaresimale. Cinisello Balsamo: Edizioni San Paolo. ISBN 978-8821578762. Available on Amazon.
- Zuppi, Matteo Maria (2019). Odierai il prossimo tuo come te stesso. Cinisello Balsamo: Edizioni San Paolo. ISBN 978-8892218246. Available on Amazon.
External links
- Matteo Maria Zuppi
- Biography of Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi
- Vatican Biography of Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 "Matteo Zuppi". Wikipedia. 2025-04-28. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matteo_Zuppi.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Meet the conclave: Cardinal Matteo Zuppi". The Pillar. 2025-04-29. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/meet-the-conclave-cardinal-matteo.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-matteo-maria-zuppi/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Who will be the next pope?". CBS News. 2025-04-27. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-will-be-next-pope-candidates-list-succeed-pope-francis/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_zuppi_mm.html.
- ↑ "Who is Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero, a naturalized Paraguayan?". H2FOZ. 2025-04-27. https://www.h2foz.com.br/who-is-cardinal-cristóbal-lópez-romero-a-naturalized-paraguayan/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "The Cardinals said to have a chance at becoming the next Pope". National Post. 2025-04-21. https://nationalpost.com/news/religion/papal-candidates.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Who will be the next pope?". Chicago Tribune. 2025-04-22. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/22/who-will-be-the-next-pope-these-cardinals-are-seen-as-contenders/.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Who will be next pope after Francis?". The Washington Post. 2025-04-21. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/21/next-pope-candidates-francis-conclave/.