Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop emeritus of Perugia-Città della Pieve (Italy), was born in Popolano di Marradi, in the archdiocese of Faenza-Modigliana, province of Florence, on 7 April 1942.

He attended the minor and major seminary of the archdiocese of Florence and was ordained a priest on 29 June 1966 in Florence.

He served as vicar in the parish of St. Michael in San Salvi. In 1968 he became assistant at the minor seminary of Florence and then rector in 1972. Seven years later, he was subsequently appointed rector of the major seminary of Florence. He served there for 11 years and was then appointed pro-vicar and vicar general of the archdiocese.

On 9 July 1994 he was nominated as bishop of Massa Marittima-Piombino and received episcopal ordination on 8 September.

He was transferred to Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro on 21 November 1998 and immediately began preparing for the Jubilee of 2000. He participated in World Youth Day at Tor Vergata, and has dedicated himself to working with the youth and families.

In 2001 John Paul II appointed him national delegate for the seminaries of Italy, reconfirmed in 2006 by Benedict XVI for another five years.

On 16 July 2009, the Pope appointed him archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve (Italy). Here he continues to dedicate his pastoral attention to social problems, including unemployment.

From 27 May 2022 Archbishop emeritus of Perugia-Città della Pieve.

From November 2009 to November 2014 he was Vice-President of the Italian Episcopal Conference. From 2017 to 2022 President of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

Appointed by Pope Francis he participated in the XIV Ordinary General Assembly on The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World (October 2015).

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 22 February 2014, of the Title of Santa Cecilia.