Enrico Feroci

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Stored: Enrico Feroci

His Eminence Enrico Feroci
Bishop of
Home diocese: Diocese of Rome
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 13 March 1965 by Archbishop Francesco Carpino
Consecration: 15 November 2020 by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 28 November 2020 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Enrico Feroci
(1940-08-27) August 27, 1940 (age 85)
Pizzoli, Abruzzo, Italy
Died:
Nationality: Italian
Education: Pontifical Roman Major Seminary
Motto: Fides, Oratio, Servitium
Role: Pastoral
Theology: Moderate
Region: Southern Europe
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Ineligible


Enrico Feroci, born (1940-08-27) August 27, 1940 (age 85), is an Italian Catholic cardinal and parish priest of the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love in Rome. A lifelong servant of the Diocese of Rome, he directed the diocesan Caritas from 2009 to 2017, overseeing social service programs. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020, he received episcopal consecration as titular Archbishop of Passo Corese to meet the requirement that cardinals be bishops. Known for his pastoral care within the Roman Rite, Feroci was the first Roman priest received by Francis after his 2013 election.[1][2][3]

Born in Pizzoli, Abruzzo, Feroci has focused on charity and Marian spirituality, notably reflecting on the 1944 vow to Our Lady of Divine Love that spared Rome from World War II bombings. In 2025, at age 84, he was ineligible for the papal conclave due to the age limit of 80, but his legacy of service continues to influence the Roman clergy. His moderate theology emphasizes faith, prayer, and service, shaped by his encounter with the Saint John Bosco.[4][5]

Biography

Birth and early life

Enrico Feroci was born on (1940-08-27) August 27, 1940 (age 85) in Pizzoli, Abruzzo, Italy, to Iolanda Sette (died 2019) and Oreste (1910–2002), with a sister, Dionilla.[1][2] At age 10, inspired by Monsignor Tommaso Fanti, he embraced a priestly vocation centered on “faith, prayer, and service.” His early life in Abruzzo’s rural Catholic community fostered a commitment to pastoral care.[2][5]

In 1951, at age 11, he entered the Pontifical Roman Minor Seminary, beginning a lifelong connection to Rome’s ecclesiastical institutions. His formative years were marked by devotion to the Virgin Mary, later expressed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love.[2][5]

Education

Feroci studied at the Pontifical Roman Minor Seminary and, after high school, at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, earning degrees in philosophy and theology by 1965.[1][2] His education focused on pastoral theology, reflecting Vatican II’s emphasis on active clergy engagement with communities.[5]

His seminary training in Rome immersed him in the city’s spiritual and administrative life, preparing him for roles in diocesan governance and charity. He developed a moderate theological outlook, balancing tradition with pastoral openness.[2]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 13 March 1965 by Archbishop Francesco Carpino for the Diocese of Rome, Feroci served as assistant at the Pontifical Roman Minor Seminary (1965–1966) and Major Seminary (1966–1968), returning as vice-rector of the Minor Seminary in 1968.[1][6] From 1976, he held parish roles, serving as parochial vicar and pastor at San Frumenzio ai Prati Fiscali (1976–2004) and Sant’Ippolito (2004–2009).[2]

His priesthood included diocesan leadership, such as participating in the Synod of the Church of Rome (1987–1992) and the City Mission for the 2000 Jubilee. Named Chaplain to His Holiness in 1995, he directed Caritas Roma (2009–2017), chairing its foundation and the anti-usury Foundation Salus Populi Romani, focusing on the poor.[2][7]

Bishop

Appointed titular Archbishop of Passo Corese on 30 October 2020 by Pope Francis, Feroci was consecrated on 15 November 2020 by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis at the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love, with co-consecrators Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli and Bishop Vincenzo Apicella.[1][6] Elevated to cardinal on 28 November 2020, he received the deaconry of Santa Maria del Divino Amore a Castel di Leva, his parish church, made a titular church by Francis.[1][2]

Since 2017, Feroci has served as president of the Oblates Sons of Our Lady of Divine Love and rector of the Shrine of Divine Love, becoming its parish priest in 2019. In 2024, he reflected on the 1944 vow to Our Lady that spared Rome from wartime destruction, emphasizing Marian intercession.[4][7] In 2025, at age 84, he was ineligible for the papal conclave due to the age limit of 80, continuing his pastoral work in Rome.[8]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Passo Corese Titular Archbishop 30 October 2020 Present Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2020

Significant events

  • Entered the Pontifical Roman Minor Seminary in 1951.[1]
  • Ordained priest for the Diocese of Rome by Archbishop Francesco Carpino on 13 March 1965.[1]
  • Served as assistant at the Pontifical Roman Minor Seminary (1965–1966) and Major Seminary (1966–1968).[1]
  • Appointed vice-rector of the Pontifical Roman Minor Seminary in 1968.[1]
  • Served as pastor of San Frumenzio ai Prati Fiscali from 1976 to 2004.[2]
  • Named Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II in 1995.[2]
  • Served as pastor of Sant’Ippolito from 2004 to 2009.[2]
  • Directed Caritas Roma and chaired its foundation from 2009 to 2017.[7]
  • Appointed president of the Oblates Sons of Our Lady of Divine Love in 2017.[7]
  • Became rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love and its seminary in 2018.[7]
  • Appointed parish priest of the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love in 2019.[7]
  • Appointed titular Archbishop of Passo Corese by Pope Francis on 30 October 2020, consecrated on 15 November 2020.[1]
  • Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 28 November 2020, with the deaconry of Santa Maria del Divino Amore a Castel di Leva.[1]
  • Reflected on the 1944 vow to Our Lady of Divine Love in June 2024, marking its 80th anniversary.[4]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Enrico Feroci have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

  • No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Enrico Feroci have been identified as of May 2025.

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 "Enrico Feroci". 2025-04-24. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrico_Feroci. 
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "FEROCI Card. Enrico". 2020-11-28. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_feroci.html. 
  3. ↑ "New Pope meets parish priests from Diocese of Rome". 2013-03-28. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/new-pope-meets-parish-priests-from-diocese-of-rome. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Cardinal Feroci reflects on 1944 vow to Our Lady of Divine Love". 2024-06-04. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-06/cardinal-feroci-reflects-on-1944-vow-to-our-lady-of-divine-love.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Pope Francis names new cardinals, including parish priest Enrico Feroci". 2020-10-25. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/pope-francis-names-new-cardinals-including-parish-priest-enrico-feroci. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Enrico Cardinal Feroci". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bferoci.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 "Enrico Feroci retires as Caritas Roma director, appointed shrine rector". 2017-09-01. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/enrico-feroci-retires-as-caritas-roma-director-appointed-shrine-rector. 
  8. ↑ "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave. 
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