Cardinal Francesco Colasuonno was born on 2 January 1925 in Grumo Appula, Italy. Ordained for the Archdiocese of Bari on 28 September 1947, he earned doctorates in theology and canon law and taught in the archdiocesan seminary before entering the Holy See's diplomatic service in 1958.

After working in the Section for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs of the Secretariat of State, he had postings in the USA, India and Taipei. On 6 December 1974 he was named titular Archbishop of Truentum and the first Apostolic Delegate of Mozambique. On 7 March 1981 he was named Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Zimbabwe and on 8 January 1985 Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Yugoslavia. On 19 April 1986 he was named Apostolic Nuncio with special duties and head of the Holy See's delegation for permanent working contacts with Poland.

He then served as the Holy See's Representative to the USSR from 1990 until his appointment on 12 November 1994 as Nuncio in Italy. The following year, 22 April 1995, he was also named Nuncio in San Marino (served as Nuncio until February 1998).

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 1998, of the Deaconry of of St. Eugenio.

Cardinal Francesco Colasuonno died on 31 May 2003.