Giorgio Marengo
Stored: Giorgio Marengo
| His Eminence Giorgio Marengo | |
| Bishop of Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Turin |
| Other diocese 1: | Titular See of Castra Severiana |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 26 May 2001 by Cardinal Severino Poletto |
| Consecration: | 8 August 2020 by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Giorgio Marengo 7 June 1974 Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italy |
| Education: | Pontifical Urban University |
| Motto: | "Ecce Ego, Mitte Me" (Here I Am, Send Me) |
| Role: | Missionary |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Asia |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., born on 7 June 1974, is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, a missionary jurisdiction covering all of Mongolia, since 2020, and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] Born in Cuneo, Italy, he joined the Consolata Missionaries in 1995, was ordained a priest in 2001, and began missionary work in Mongolia in 2003, becoming the first Consolata missionary there.[2] Known for his progressive theology, Marengo has grown Mongolia’s Catholic community from near non-existence in 1992 to about 1,450 faithful by 2022, doubling vocations and emphasizing interreligious dialogue with the Buddhist majority.[3] His approach, described as “whispering the Gospel,” prioritizes cultural respect and social initiatives like the House of Mercy for the marginalized.[4]
Marengo’s leadership includes establishing Mongolia’s first Catholic parishes and preparing for Pope Francis’ historic 2023 visit, the first papal trip to Mongolia.[5] As a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization since 2022 and the Central Asian Bishops’ Conference, he advocates for a Church rooted in local culture, rejecting marketing-style evangelization.[2] His elevation to cardinal at age 48, making him one of the youngest in the College of Cardinals, was seen as a nod to the Church’s mission in Asia.[6] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Marengo has drawn media attention as a potential papabile, though he has not commented on such speculation.[7] Despite global attention, he remains focused on Mongolia’s small Catholic community, promoting faith through prayer and social outreach.[8]
Biography
Birth and early life
Giorgio Marengo was born on 7 June 1974 in Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, in the Diocese of Turin.[1] He grew up participating in the Scouts (AGESCI Torino 18) and practicing fencing, graduating from the classical Liceo Cavour.[9] Inspired by a Consolata missionary, he discerned a vocation to missionary life, entering the Consolata Missionaries in 1995.[10]
His upbringing in Piedmont’s Catholic community and exposure to missionary stories shaped his commitment to evangelization in non-Christian regions.[3] Marengo’s early interests in scouting and fencing reflect a disciplined yet communal approach, later evident in his missionary work.[9]
Education
Marengo studied philosophy at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy (1993–1995) and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1996–1999).[2] He earned a licentiate (2002) and doctorate (2016) in missiology from the Pontifical Urban University, with a thesis on mission strategies in Asia.[6] He professed perpetual vows with the Consolata Missionaries on 24 June 2000 and was ordained a priest on 26 May 2001 by Cardinal Severino Poletto.[1]
His academic focus on missiology equipped him for evangelization in Mongolia, where he spent three years learning the language.[10] Marengo’s education emphasized cultural integration, shaping his “whispering the Gospel” approach.[4]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Consolata Missionaries in 2001, Marengo began pastoral ministry in Arvaikheer, Mongolia, in 2003, becoming the first Consolata missionary in the country.[6] He served as parish priest of Mary Mother of Mercy in Arvaikheer (2003–2020), regional counselor for Asia (2016–2020), and superior for Mongolia (2016–2020).[2] His efforts established Mongolia’s first Catholic parishes, growing the community to 1,450 by 2022.[3]
Marengo’s priesthood focused on interreligious dialogue, particularly with Buddhists, and social projects like the House of Mercy for the poor.[5] He facilitated a 2022 meeting between Pope Francis and Mongolian Buddhist leaders, emphasizing dialogue as central to his mission.[11]
Bishop
Appointed Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar and titular Bishop of Castra Severiana on 2 April 2020 by Pope Francis, Marengo was consecrated on 8 August 2020 by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, with Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia and Cardinal Severino Poletto as co-consecrators.[1] Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Giuda Taddeo Apostolo on 27 August 2022, he became one of the youngest cardinals at age 48.[2] In October 2022, he was named to the Dicastery for Evangelization.[11]
Marengo’s episcopal ministry has grown vocations, with priests increasing from 11 to 25, male religious from 13 to 30, and female religious from 23 to 33 between 2003 and 2022.[3] His preparation for Pope Francis’ 2023 Mongolia visit highlighted his role in raising the Church’s profile.[5] His progressive theology, emphasizing cultural integration and social outreach, has drawn conservative criticism for avoiding overt proselytism, but his focus on Eucharistic reverence maintains orthodox roots.[4]post:3
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titular See of Castra Severiana | Titular Bishop | 2 April 2020 | Present | Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar |
| Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar | Apostolic Prefect | 2 April 2020 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2022 |
Significant events
- Joined the Consolata Missionaries in 1995.[2]
- Ordained priest in 2001 by Cardinal Severino Poletto.[1]
- Began missionary work in Mongolia in 2003, first Consolata missionary there.[6]
- Earned doctorate in missiology from Pontifical Urban University in 2016.[6]
- Appointed regional counselor for Asia and superior for Mongolia in 2016.[2]
- Appointed Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar and titular Bishop of Castra Severiana in 2020.[1]
- Consecrated bishop in 2020 by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.[1]
- Facilitated meeting between Pope Francis and Mongolian Buddhist leaders in 2022.[11]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, youngest at the time.[2]
- Appointed to Dicastery for Evangelization in 2022.[11]
- Prepared for Pope Francis’ 2023 visit to Mongolia.[5]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[7]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Piana, Federico (23 July 2022). "Giorgio Marengo: 'The most important thing is fidelity to the Lord'". https://www.omnesmag.com/en/the-world/giorgio-marengo-the-most-important-thing-is-fidelity-to-the-lord/.
- "Cardinal Giorgio Marengo: Bringing Catholicism to Mongolia". 25 June 2024. https://catholicweekly.com.au/cardinal-giorgio-marengo-bringing-catholicism-to-mongolia/.
- La Rosa, Angelica (26 April 2025). "Conosciamo il Cardinale elettore Giorgio Marengo". https://www.informazionecattolica.it/2025/04/26/conosciamo-il-cardinale-elettore-giorgio-marengo/.
Written by the bishop
- Marengo, Giorgio (2018). Sussurrare il Vangelo nella terra dell'eterno Cielo blu. Rome: Urbaniana University Press. ISBN 978-8840150482. https://www.urbaniana.press/sussurrare-il-vangelo-nella-terra-delleterno-cielo-blu.
External links
- Giorgio Cardinal Marengo at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Biography of Cardinal Giorgio Marengo at Catholic Church in Mongolia
- Cardinal Giorgio Marengo at Vatican Press
- Cardinal Giorgio Marengo - Latest news at Catholic News Agency
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "Giorgio Cardinal Marengo, I.M.C.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmargi.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C.". 27 August 2022. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_marengo.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C.". 23 November 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/giorgio-marengo.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Piana, Federico (23 July 2022). "Giorgio Marengo: 'The most important thing is fidelity to the Lord'". https://www.omnesmag.com/en/the-world/giorgio-marengo-the-most-important-thing-is-fidelity-to-the-lord/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Cardinal Giorgio Marengo: Bringing Catholicism to Mongolia". 25 June 2024. https://catholicweekly.com.au/cardinal-giorgio-marengo-bringing-catholicism-to-mongolia/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Cardinal of Ulaanbaatar Apostolic Prefecture Giorgio Marengo". 30 May 2022. https://www.ucanews.com/directory/cardinals/cardinal-giorgio-marengo/1256.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ "Cardinal Giorgio Marengo - Latest news". 21 July 2023. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258322/cardinal-giorgio-marengo.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Giorgio Marengo". 21 May 2020. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Marengo.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Giorgio Marengo". 10 July 2020. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Marengo.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Giorgio Marengo". 30 April 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Marengo.