Gianfranco Ghirlanda
Stored: Gianfranco Ghirlanda
| His Eminence Gianfranco Ghirlanda | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Rome |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 24 June 1973 by Cardinal Ugo Poletti |
| Consecration: | |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Gianfranco Ghirlanda July 5, 1942 Rome, Italy |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Education: | Sapienza University of Rome |
| Motto: | In Veritate et Caritate |
| Role: | Curial |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Gianfranco Ghirlanda, born July 5, 1942, is an Italian Catholic cardinal, Jesuit canon lawyer, and professor emeritus at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he taught from 1975 to 2010 and served as rector (2004–2010). Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, he was named patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 2023. A non-bishop cardinal, he received a special dispensation for his elevation, reflecting his influence in canon law within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda)
Born in Rome, Ghirlanda joined the Jesuits in 1966, inspired by the Saint Ignatius of Loyola. In 2025, at age 82, he was ineligible for the papal conclave due to the age limit of 80, continuing his advisory role in Vatican governance and the Order of Malta. His scholarship on Church constitutions has shaped modern canon law.[4][5]
Biography
Birth and early life
Gianfranco Ghirlanda was born on July 5, 1942 in Rome, Italy, to a middle-class family.[1] His encounter with Ignatian spirituality led him to join the Jesuits in 1966. He worked at Fiat while studying, balancing secular and religious commitments.[2][5][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda)
Raised in Rome’s intellectual milieu, Ghirlanda developed a passion for law and theology, later evident in his academic career. His Jesuit formation emphasized service, shaping his advisory roles.[1]
Education
Ghirlanda earned a doctorate in jurisprudence from the Sapienza University of Rome in 1966. He studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1973, followed by a licentiate (1975) and doctorate (1978) in canon law.[1][2] His research focused on ecclesiastical governance, influenced by Vatican II.[5][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda)
His education prepared him for teaching and Vatican consultancy. He mastered Italian, Latin, and Spanish, aiding his global academic engagements.[2]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 24 June 1973 by Cardinal Ugo Poletti for the Diocese of Rome, Ghirlanda taught canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University (1975–2010), serving as dean of the Faculty of Canon Law (1995–2004) and rector (2004–2010).[1][2] He advised Vatican dicasteries on legal reforms, including the 1988 apostolic constitution *Pastor Bonus*.[5][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda)
His priesthood focused on scholarship over pastoral ministry. He published extensively on Church law, influencing Vatican policy. His Jesuit discipline shaped his advisory precision.[6]
Bishop
Appointed cardinal-deacon of San Giuseppe in Via Trionfale on 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis, Ghirlanda, a non-bishop, received a dispensation from the requirement of episcopal consecration, a rare exception.[1][2] Named patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on 19 June 2023, he advises on its constitutional reforms.[3][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda)
In 2025, at age 82, Ghirlanda was ineligible for the conclave, focusing on academic and advisory roles. His work on synodality and Church governance remains influential.[4][5]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Giuseppe in Via Trionfale | Cardinal-Deacon | 27 August 2022 | Present | Appointed by Pope Francis; non-bishop cardinal |
Significant events
- Joined the Jesuits in 1966.[1][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda)
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Rome by Cardinal Ugo Poletti on 24 June 1973.[1]
- Appointed dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1995, serving until 2004.[1]
- Appointed rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2004, serving until 2010.[1]
- Created cardinal-deacon of San Giuseppe in Via Trionfale by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022.[2]
- Named patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on 19 June 2023.[3][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda)
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books specifically dedicated to Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
External links
- Gianfranco Cardinal Ghirlanda, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- GHIRLANDA Card. Gianfranco, Vatican Press Office
- Il Cardinale Gianfranco Ghirlanda Patrono del Sovrano Ordine di Malta, Sovereign Military Order of Malta
- Cardinal Ghirlanda’s contributions to canon law, Jesuit.org
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Gianfranco Ghirlanda". 2010-07-19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "GHIRLANDA Card. Gianfranco". 2022-08-27. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_ghirlanda.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Il Cardinale Gianfranco Ghirlanda Patrono del Sovrano Ordine di Malta". 2023-06-19. https://www.orderofmalta.int/it/2023/06/19/il-cardinale-gianfranco-ghirlanda-patrono-del-sovrano-ordine-di-malta/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "Cardinal Ghirlanda’s contributions to canon law". 2022-08-27. https://www.jesuit.org/news/cardinal-ghirlanda-contributions-to-canon-law.
- ↑ "Gianfranco Ghirlanda". 2023-02-02. https://it.cathopedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Ghirlanda.