Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Catholic Education and Grand Chancellor Emeritus of the Pontifical Gregorian University, marks his 80th birthday today, making him ineligible to participate in a future conclave of cardinals. Born on July 30, 1943, in Villarboit, Piedmont, Cardinal Versaldi has had a distinguished career within the Catholic Church.
Ordained as a priest on June 29, 1967, he was appointed as the spiritual director of high school seminarians in Vercelli. Pursuing further studies, he obtained a degree and doctorate in psychology and canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1972.
Throughout his career, Cardinal Versaldi served as the director of the diocesan family counseling center and as a parish priest in Vercelli. Additionally, he was a educator, teaching canon law and psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Notably, he also contributed to the work of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. His dedication led to his appointment as the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vercelli in 1994.
His journey continued when Benedict XVI appointed him as the Bishop of Alessandria on April 4, 2007. Subsequently, on September 21, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI entrusted him with the important role of President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
In recognition of his contributions and commitment to the Church, Benedict XVI elevated Cardinal Versaldi to the rank of Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church in the consistory of February 18, 2012. He was assigned the title of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Castro Pretorio, which was elevated pro hac vice to the rank of presbyteral title.
Notably, Cardinal Versaldi participated in the conclave of 2013.
His journey of service continued under the papacy of Pope Francis, who appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education on March 31, 2015. However, with the entry into force of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium on June 6, 2022, Cardinal Versaldi concluded his tenure as Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
As of today, the number of cardinal electors eligible for a future conclave has decreased to 120, eagerly awaiting the upcoming consistory that Pope Francis will preside over on September 30th.
This article was originally published on ACI Stampa.
Journalist based in Rome. He worked for 'Area' Press Agency, dealing with internal politics, economics but above all with the Vatican. Accredited at the Press Office of the Holy See, professional journalist since 2008, he followed the conclaves of 2005 and 2013. Currently works for ACI Stampa, EWTN News agency in Italian. He is the author, together with his colleague Andrea Gagliarducci, of "La Quaresima della Chiesa", and "Benedetto XVI, a total Pope".
