The Holy Father has appointed Msgr. Giovanni Checchinato as bishop of San Severo (area 1,270, population 156,370, Catholics 121,000, priests 54, permanent deacons 2, religious 106), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in 1957 in Latina, Italy and was ordained a priest in 1981. He carried out his priestly formation in the Pontifical Leonine College of Anagni, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology. He subsequently specialised in moral theology at the Alphonsianum Academy, Rome. He has served in a number of pastoral roles in the diocese of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno, including parish vicar in the “San Francesco d’Assisi” parish in Cisterna di Latina; teacher of professional ethics at the Regional School of Formation for Nurses and teacher of philosophical ethics and moral theology at the Paul VI Institute of Religious Sciences in Latina and the regional seminary of Anagni; assistant for Catholic Action Youth; pastor of the “San Pio X” parish in Latina-Borgo Isonzo; director of the family pastoral office; co-founder and ethical consultant for the diocesan advisory centre; archpriest of the parish of “San Cesareo”, con-cathedral of Terracina; and rector of the Pontifical Leonine College of Anagni. He is currently pastor of the “Santa Rita” parish in Latina, member of the Presbyteral Council and director of the diocesan office for school and university pastoral care and for the teaching of the Catholic religion. He succeeds Bishop Lucio Angelo Renna, O. Carm., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese was accepted by the Holy Father.