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Roberto Repole

Stored: Roberto Repole

His Eminence Roberto Repole
Bishop of Archdiocese of Turin
Home diocese: Archdiocese of Turin
Other diocese 1: Diocese of Susa
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 13 June 1992 by Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini
Consecration: 7 May 2022 by Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Roberto Repole
(1967-01-29) January 29, 1967 (age 58)
Givoletto, Turin, Italy
Died:
Nationality: Italian
Education: Pontifical Gregorian University
Motto: Christus tradidit seipsum pro me
Role: Metropolitan Archbishop
Theology: Progressive
Region: Southern Europe
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Roberto Repole, born (1967-01-29) January 29, 1967 (age 58), is an Italian Catholic cardinal, Archbishop of Turin, and Bishop of Susa, serving since 2022. Ordained a priest in 1992, he taught systematic theology for over two decades and led the Italian Theological Association from 2011 to 2016. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024, he is known for his theological work on synodality and alignment with Francis’s vision within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]

Born in Turin, Repole was inspired by the Saint John Bosco, whose Salesian charism shaped his formation. In 2025, at age 58, he participated in the papal conclave, with his progressive theology and synodal focus influencing Church dialogue. His association with the “Boariniano” group and editorial role in a controversial 2018 theology series have sparked debate, though his pastoral approach remains widely respected.[4][5][6]

Biography

Birth and early life

Roberto Repole was born on (1967-01-29) January 29, 1967 (age 58) in Givoletto, Turin, Italy, to Vito Repole, a former municipal councilor in Druento, and Concetta Mancuso, both originally from southern Italy.[1][2] Inspired by John Bosco’s dedication to youth, he entered Turin’s minor seminary at age 11, completing high school at the Salesian Valsalice Lyceum in 1986.[1][7]

Raised in Druento, Repole’s early exposure to Salesian education fostered a commitment to pastoral care and intellectual rigor, later evident in his theological career.[2][8]

Education

Repole earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Theological Faculty of Turin in 1992, followed by a licentiate (1998) and doctorate (2001) in systematic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with a thesis on Henri de Lubac and Gabriel Marcel.[1][2][3] His studies focused on ecclesiology and synodality, influenced by Vatican II.[5]

His Roman education connected him with global theologians, preparing him for leadership. He mastered Italian, French, and Latin, aiding his academic and pastoral work.[2]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 13 June 1992 by Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini for the Archdiocese of Turin, Repole served as parish vicar at Gesù Redentore and Ss. Nome di Maria in Turin (1992–1996).[1][8] He lectured in systematic theology at the Theological Faculty of Turin and the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences (1996–2022), served as canon of the Royal Church of Saint Lawrence (2010–2022), and was president of the Italian Theological Association (2011–2016).[1][2]

His priesthood blended scholarship and pastoral care. As editor of *La Teologia di Papa Francesco* (2018), he faced scrutiny over “Lettergate,” though his direct involvement remains unclear.[5][6]

Bishop

Appointed Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa on 19 February 2022 by Pope Francis, Repole was consecrated on 7 May 2022 by Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia, with Archbishops Marco Arnolfo and Alfonso Badini Confalonieri as co-consecrators.[1][8] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Gesù Divin Maestro alla Pineta Sacchetti on 7 December 2024, he was the first Turin native to become archbishop since 1897.[2][3]

In 2025, at age 58, Repole participated in the conclave, with his synodal leadership and progressive theology shaping his influence.[4][6] His “Boariniano” association has drawn criticism for liberal leanings, though his focus on inclusivity and dialogue is praised.[5][9]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Turin Archbishop 19 February 2022 Present Appointed by Pope Francis; first native since 1897
Susa Bishop 19 February 2022 Present Appointed by Pope Francis
Gesù Divin Maestro alla Pineta Sacchetti Cardinal-Priest 7 December 2024 Present Appointed by Pope Francis

Significant events

  • Entered Turin’s minor seminary in 1978.[1]
  • Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Turin by Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini on 13 June 1992.[1]
  • Appointed lecturer in systematic theology at the Theological Faculty of Turin in 1996, serving until 2022.[2]
  • Elected president of the Italian Theological Association in 2011, serving until 2016.[1]
  • Appointed canon of the Royal Church of Saint Lawrence in 2010, serving until 2022.[1]
  • Appointed rector of the Turin section of the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy in 2016, serving until 2022.[1]
  • Appointed Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa on 19 February 2022, consecrated on 7 May 2022.[8]
  • Participated in the Synod on Synodality plenary sessions in 2023 and 2024.[6]
  • Created cardinal-priest of Gesù Divin Maestro alla Pineta Sacchetti by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024.[2]
  • Participated in the 2025 papal conclave, influencing synodal dialogue.[4]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books specifically dedicated to Cardinal Roberto Repole have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

  • Il dolce stil novo di papa Francesco, co-authored with M. Gronchi, Messaggero, Padova, 2015, ISBN 978-88-250-4047-0.[1]
  • Papa Francesco. Quale teologia?, co-authored with A. Cozzi and G. Piana, Cittadella, Assisi, 2016, ISBN 978-88-308-1487-5.[1]
  • Eucaristia e logos annunciato. Una chiave interpretativa, editor, Glossa, Milano, 2014, ISBN 978-88-7105-349-3.[1]
  • «Ogni uomo vedrà la salvezza di Dio» (Lc 3,6). Sulla soteriologia cristiana, co-edited with F. Scanziani, Glossa, Milano, 2017, ISBN 978-88-7105-389-9.[1]
  • La sinodalità nella vita e nella missione della Chiesa, co-edited with P. Coda, Dehoniane, Bologna, 2019, ISBN 978-88-10-66207-6.[1]
  • Siamo sempre discepoli-missionari. Quali conversioni per evangelizzare oggi?, editor, Dehoniane, Bologna, 2017, ISBN 978-88-10-56609-1.[1]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 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 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 "Roberto Repole". 2022-02-19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Repole. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "REPOLE Card. Roberto". 2024-12-07. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_repole.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "New cardinals come from 17 nations, have diverse ministry experiences". 2024-11-30. https://catholicreview.org/new-cardinals-come-from-17-nations-have-diverse-ministry-experiences/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Cardinal Roberto Repole". 2024-12-06. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinal-roberto-repole. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "5 Italians to Be Elevated As Cardinals by Pope Francis at Dec. 7 Consistory". 2024-11-30. https://ewtn.co.uk/article-5-italians-to-be-elevated-as-cardinals-by-pope-francis-at-dec-7-consistory/. 
  7. ↑ "Italy – Msgr. Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin, returns to his school: Salesian high school in Valsalice". 2023-03-09. https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/15007-italy-msgr-roberto-repole-archbishop-of-turin-returns-to-his-school-salesian-high-school-in-valsalice. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Roberto Cardinal Repole". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/brepole.html. 
  9. ↑ "Pope’s Next Consistory Will Have a Number of LGBTQ-Positive New Cardinals". 2024-10-07. https://www.newwaysministry.org/2024/10/07/popes-next-consistory-will-have-a-number-of-lgbtq-positive-new-cardinals/. 
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